Oregon strawberries are renowned for their deep-red color and exceptional sweetness. They’re a special fruit, but the high sugar content that makes their flavor pop also makes them difficult to ship and store. Most of the state’s berries go into the processed market, to be used in ice cream, pastries and other goodies. But as reported in the Capital Press, California strawberries account for more and more of that market, meaning fewer profits for Oregon farmers. The shift has led to a decline in strawberry production across the state. Oregon growers produced just 11 million pounds of strawberries in 2021, down from 40.2 million in 2001.
 
Jayson Hoffman grows strawberries and serves as the chairman of the Oregon Strawberry Commission. He joins us with more details on the state of the industry and an update on this year’s strawberry season.