Where do blackcaps grow and what markets are served?
Black raspberries grow primarily in the western US and in British Columbia. They prefer wet, mild winters and humid, warm summers and are harvested over the month of July. Oregon’s Willamette Valley, especially, is noted for black raspberries accounting for 95% of total US production or about 4 million pounds per year. Only 5% of black raspberries are sold fresh. The market for processing to provide year-round supplies of frozen (immediately quick frozen, IQF), pureed or concentrated juice products makes up the rest.
