SoCal Berry Growers, the primary supplier for Driscoll’s, announced it will close six strawberry farms near Ventura and Oxnard in January 2027. The shutdown will affect 572 farm workers, many of whom have spent years laboring in the fields to supply the nation’s most valuable crop in Ventura County.
According to KCLU, strawberries generated over $807 million in sales in 2025, but production costs topped $815.1 million, driven by rising water and labor expenses. The economic strain, combined with climate challenges and trade disparities, has left growers losing money per acre per crop, prompting the closures.
David Cruz, a representative of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), described the farms as “the epicenter of one of the major production hubs of berries in America.” He warned that the loss will ripple through the community, affecting grocery store prices and family dinner tables across the county.
Cruz emphasized that the situation is not solely a market issue. He pointed to “imported produce” that, in his view, lacks the same inspection standards, creating an uneven playing field for local growers. He called for federal relief, acknowledging that the term “subsidies” may be uncomfortable for some, but stressing that the workers feeding the nation face “very difficult circumstances.”
While LULAC seeks to convene growers, labor leaders, and elected officials to explore solutions, the immediate impact remains clear: hundreds of families could lose their paychecks when the farms close. The organization urges dialogue among all stakeholders to prevent a broader economic blow to Ventura’s coastal and state economy.
What’s next: The farms are slated to cease operations in January 2027. Local leaders and LULAC plan to meet in the coming weeks to discuss possible federal assistance and strategies to preserve jobs, though no concrete timeline has been announced.
Sources: kclu.org
