Raspberries

Commodity Overview

Raspberries are a popular choice for shoppers. Consumers are most familiar with red raspberries, but adding black and golden varieties to your display creates options for shoppers. Make them an integral part of your berry promotions as they are popular berry option throughout the year.

PLUs

4244 black
4245 golden
4054 red

Varieties

Gold Raspberries

Red Raspberries

Retail Price Data is based on USDA Specialty Crops Market News surveys. Data collection ends on the report date and encompasses ad pricing good from the Saturday before the report release date through the following Friday. Weekly data - from over 400 retailers, comprising more than 30,000 individual stores with online weekly advertised features - covers over 250 produce items. Registered (logged-in) users, can access weekly reports and additional market information.

USDA Specialty Crops Market News publishes FOB and Movement data on a daily and weekly basis. Pricing and volume information is aggregated by commodity and published weekly, subject to any source-data adjustments. Commodity data is further processed based on origin (domestic vs imports) and type (regular vs. organic). Registered (logged-in) users, can access weekly reports and additional market information.

Facts

Raspberries’ increasing popularity has much to do with their health benefits. Raspberries have an-timicrobial properties, which help prevent too much bacteria from growing in the bottom. Ellagic acid found in raspberries helps prevent damage to cell membranes. Research shows that eating raspberries may help prevent the growth of cancerous tumors. Raspberries contain antioxidants that reduce inflammation in the body.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the following nutrient content descriptors for raspberries: fat-free, saturated fat-free, sodium-free, cholesterol-free, high in fiber, high in vit-amin C and a good source of folate.

Sales Strategies

Raspberries have a multitude of use so cross-merchandise them with cereal, other berries, pastry shells, baking supplies and ice cream.
Raspberries are available year-round, but their most promotable quantities are in early summer and in the fall. Promote them throughout the year.
Fall: Include raspberries in back-to-school promotions as their small size and tasty flavor make them perfect for lunch boxes.
Winter: Include raspberries in holiday cooking promotions. They can be added to nearly any baked good.
Spring: Promote raspberries as a sweet treat for Easter and Mother’s Day brunches.
Summer: Include raspberries in Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day promo-tions. Encourage consumers to add them to fruit and green salads.
Introduce consumers to the taste of golden raspberries by offering samples

Dynamic Displays

Consumers are most familiar with red raspberries, but adding black and golden varieties to your display creates options for shoppers.
Raspberries are extremely perishable. Only stock what you can move in one day.
Keep fragile berries from being smashed by offering them in clamshells. Don’t stack clamshells because the berries can still bruise from the weight.
Include raspberries in a larger berry display with blueberries, strawberries and blackberries. Place raspberries next to blackberries as they share a similar price point.
Showcase raspberries in your department when they are in peak season.

Food Service

Raspberries make a great addition to baked goods, such as pies, pastries and breads.
Include raspberries in a berry shortcake dessert or as a topping for ice cream.
Use raspberries as a decorative topping for a decorated cake.
Add raspberries to salads and offer them on salad bars.
Raspberries are a tasty topping for cereal and yogurt, so include them on breakfast bars. Use them as a topping for pancakes and waffles.
Include raspberries in a berry cup side dish on your children’s menu.
Dip raspberries in chocolate and use them as a dessert plate garnish.

In the Backroom

Shipping
6-lb. flats, 12 8-oz. cups 5-lb. flats, 12 6-oz. or 9 8-oz. cups 6 6-oz. cups (1/2 flat) 12 ½ dry pints 12 dry pints RPC –6409, 6411 Consumer packs 6-oz. clamshell

Grades
U.S. No. 1 U.S. No. 2

Handling
Temperature: 32 to 34 F (0 to 1 C) Relative humidity: 90-95% Mist: no Typical shelf life: 2 to 3 days Highly sensitive to freezing injury. (Likely to suffer injury by one light freezing.) Product is precooled immediately after harvest to slow decay. It is transported in constant refrigeration because of high perishability. Additional protection against decay and ripening is obtained by charging the load with carbon dioxide while in transit.