4 Billion Containers of Berries Driscoll’s Ships Annually

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, July 12, 2026

Driscoll’s, a family-owned California company, ships around four billion containers of berries globally each year and has transformed berries from a seasonal treat into a year-round staple through breeding and distribution innovations. This shift has helped berries become the fastest-growing produce category in the U.S., positioning Driscoll’s as a $7 billion industry leader second only to Coca-Cola in supermarket brand earnings.

Driscoll’s, a California-based company specializing in berries, ships approximately four billion containers of the fruit worldwide each year. Once considered a seasonal delicacy, berries have transitioned into a year-round staple in recent decades, a development driven in large part by Driscoll’s efforts.

Founded in 1904 as a multifamily farm, Driscoll’s has remained family-controlled and has grown into a major player in the fruit industry, with an estimated value of $7 billion. The company is recognized as the second-highest-earning brand in American supermarkets, trailing only Coca-Cola, according to data from market research firm Circana.

A significant milestone for Driscoll’s came in 1989 with what the company refers to as the Meadowood Declaration. At that time, the board committed to making strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries available throughout the year. This ambitious goal appeared challenging three decades ago but has since become a reality.

Driscoll’s has focused on breeding sweeter and juicier varieties, particularly of blueberries and blackberries, which had previously resisted commercial cultivation. These improvements have supported the company’s mission to provide fresh berries in all seasons.

The increased availability and improved varieties correspond with broader market trends. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, berries represent the fastest-growing category in American produce, both in terms of sales and volume. Global production of berries has also tripled since 2000, based on research from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.

Kristin Kiesel, an agricultural economics professor at the University of California, Davis, noted the transformation in consumers’ perceptions of strawberries over time. “A strawberry was a strawberry. Now a strawberry is a brand,” she said, highlighting the role of branding and innovation in the fruit’s market evolution.

Driscoll’s extensive distribution and product development efforts have contributed to a significant shift in berry consumption patterns, making the fruit more accessible beyond typical seasonal windows and establishing the company as a dominant force in the global berry market.

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