SoCal Berry Growers, a supplier for Driscoll's, has announced the closure of its six facilities in Ventura County, impacting around 572 employees. This situation raises concerns for the Central California agricultural sector, particularly for strawberry farmers.
• SoCal Berry Growers informed Oxnard city council about the permanent discontinuation of operations, expected to take effect between January 11 and January 25, 2027.
• Ventura County heavily relies on strawberry farming, which generated approximately $807.8 million last year, but farmers faced losses exceeding $815 million.
• The CEO of the Farm Bureau of Ventura County highlighted this closure as part of broader challenges faced by local agriculture, citing rising costs and inflation.
• Recent studies indicate an alarming decline in real net revenues for Ventura County farmers, down 80% over the past decade.
• Increasing costs for resources like water and labor, coupled with competition from imported agricultural products, are exacerbating the struggles of local farmers.
• Unionized workers at SoCal Berry Growers recently voted to join the United Farm Workers of America, which accuses the company of trying to evade its obligations to the workers by closing the operation.
The closure of SoCal Berry Growers could signify more trouble for Ventura County's agricultural future. The industry is at a critical point, with farmers facing significant financial challenges and uncertainty about viability moving forward. There is an urgent need for strategies to address rising costs and competition to support local agriculture.
https://www.sfgate.com/centralcoast/article/california-berry-grower-layoffs-22514855.php
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