Ruby-red and full of flavor—what’s not to love about the fuzzy fruit that is the raspberry? With characteristics deemed magical by many cultures, this is one produce star shoppers find absolutely bewitching. For a fruitful season in the berry set, spotlight this otherworldly offering and see if shoppers can resist its allure. While I may be biased toward what is undeniably one of my favorite fruits, I can promise that the category is ripe with opportunity. Don’t believe me? I’ll leave it up to these category connoisseurs to change your mind…
Product Marketing Manager, Driscoll’s
“Driscoll’s offers two high-flavor specialty raspberries that will elevate your consumer’s summer raspberry snacking—Sweetest Batch™ and Rosé Berries™. These raspberries go above and beyond, delivering on the consumer’s number-one purchase driver of flavor. Packed with proprietary varieties exclusive to Driscoll’s, Sweetest Batch™ raspberries are grown to have off-the-charts sweetness for a raspberry. They’re perfect for your customers to enjoy as summer snacks or for afternoon picnics—assuming they don’t eat them all on their way home from your stores. Rosé Berries™ are like a chilled glass of pink wine on a summer afternoon and are as delicious as the drink they’re named after. The only difference is that this is one rosé the whole family can enjoy. Although Driscoll’s Rosé Berries™ have a very exclusive and limited distribution, Driscoll’s Sweetest Batch™ raspberries are available across the country and throughout the entirety of the summer!”
Vice President of Marketing, Naturipe Farms
“Raspberry season brings great opportunities for retailers. We always suggest merchandisers catch shoppers’ eyes with a full berry patch display—and raspberries definitely play an integral part in the berry category! As summer approaches and the raspberries are at their peak in both flavor and volume, we urge retailers to highlight these delicious berries throughout the produce department to drive sales.”
Category Director of Berries, Oppy
“Ocean Spray® is a powerful brand with powerful berries. With 96 percent brand awareness and high purchase intent, the Ocean Spray label stands out on the shelf because it’s been recognized as high-quality for decades. Ocean Spray Family Farmer Owned™ raspberries continue to grow in Central Mexico, the Baja peninsula, and California. While we grow our program, branded produce continues to dominate the produce snacking category, which is why we’re excited to be evolving into new varieties to build upon our tried-and-true, giving consumers bolder berry profiles. As one of the most recognizable produce brands, look to Ocean Spray’s 6 and 12 oz raspberry pack-styles to energize your produce sales.”
Director of Bushberry Supply, California Giant Berry Farms
“Fresh raspberries from California Giant Berry Farms are available year-round! Our Adelita raspberry program out of Mexico is driving the supply to new heights, allowing for consistent, quality fruit to be available when and where our customers need it. Our raspberry acreage in Mexico has increased 25 percent year-over-year, with promising trial varieties in the pipeline. We’re also very excited about our 2022 raspberry program out of California—as we’ve increased acreage of the Kwanza variety by 200 percent. Kwanza has proven itself with its high yield, distinctly bright orange and red appearance, sweet flavor, and excellent shelf-life. Our customers love it, so we plant it!”
Director of Marketing, GEM-Pack Berries
“Raspberries are the delicate darlings of the berry patch, but more recent varieties are larger, more robust, and so very delicious. At GEM-Pack Berries, we are especially excited about the Adelita variety that produces strong volume from fall through spring, making it ideal for back-to-school promotions, winter holidays, as well as all the big berry promotions in spring and summer. Raspberries have a special sweet and tart balance unlike any other berry, which amplifies and intensifies both sweet and savory foods. Retail rings for raspberries have been on a steady incline, and they’ve become a key player on the berry patch team. The health benefits of raspberries are not always as well-touted as some of the other berries, but don’t forget they are little powerhouses too—rich in fiber, vitamin C, folate, B vitamins, and other nutrients.” 
