BusinessWednesday, November 4
SoCal Berry Growers plans to close six Ventura and Oxnard farms and lay off 572 workers
The Daily Ventura team
If you pass the strawberry fields on Olivas Park Drive, some of those farms are slated to close in January. SoCal Berry Growers plans to shut six farms in Ventura and Oxnard between Jan. 11 and Jan. 25, 2027, and lay off all 572 workers, according to a letter dated Oct. 31 to the Oxnard City Council. The California Post says most are berry harvesters.
Six farms and 572 jobs are on the line in January
- 6
- farms the company plans to close in Ventura and Oxnard
- 572
- workers the company plans to lay off
- Jan. 11-25
- window for the planned closures
Sources: Ventura County Star, California Post
Strawberries brought Ventura County growers $808 million in wholesale revenue in 2025, yet costs outran it by about $8 million. County agricultural commissioner Korinne Bell isn't surprised and doesn't think this will be the last closure.
$808 millionwholesale strawberry revenue for Ventura County growers in 2025
Costs outstripped it by about $8 million countywide, a collective loss of about 1% of revenue.
Sources: Ventura County Star, California Post
The workers voted in July to join the United Farm Workers. SoCal Berry Growers challenged the petition, alleging misconduct by the union.
- Where: four farms on Olivas Park Drive, just south of Ventura
- Union cards: just over half of 332 eligible workers signed
- Notice rule: 60 days for layoffs of 50 or more workers
- 2025 county farm revenue: record $2.4 billion
Sources: Ventura County Star, California Post