California growers and shippers are saying there should be good supplies and good-quality tree fruit, melons and other commodities this summer, despite a winter filled with unusually cold weather, combined with record rain and snow.
At the same time there will some items getting off to a later start than usual, and early volume on others may be less.
Trinity Fruit Sales Co. of Fresno, CA notes despite the rains, it really didn’t damage the product. However, the start of the season is experiencing a little lighter volume.
Early volume of peaches and nectarines is down because rain prevented bees from pollinating the flowers.
Trinity Fruit is optimistic about getting past early May and when it enters the main part of the season in June, July and August, when it expects a full crop and good volume on everything.
An early freeze affected the apricot crop, so it will get a later start. Supplies during May will be lighter than usual. However, good volume will be available in June continuing into early September.
Westside Produce of Firebaugh, CA reports California’s melon crop dodged the state’s cold, rainy winter.
Though the California melon industry has had a reduction in acreage over the past 20 years, things seem to have stabilized during the past five years. Volume has stayed the same due to better yields, even as some acreage has fallen off.
The company expects similar volume of cantaloupes, honeydews and mixed melons planted as in 2022 as in 2023.
As with other commodities, the season may get a later start, about late May, rather than usual for California’s Imperial Valley spring melon deal and the Westside summer program.
“I anticipate there will be some gaps throughout the spring, summer and fall based on the weather, water and environmental impacts we’ve seen,” he said.
Westside Produce recently joined with Classic Fruit Co. of Fresno to offer melons year-round.
Crown Jewels Produce of Fresno started its melon program in late April. The company offers cantaloupes, honeydews and watermelons as well as grapes, pears and pomegranates. All commodities will start 10-14 days later than usual because of rain and cold weather, but size and quality should be good. Volume should be similar to last year.
Grapes will start the last half May, pears will get underway the second week of July and pomegranates in September.