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Florida’s commercial citrus acreage declined in 2026, while citrus output increased during the 2025-2026 season, according to two USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service reports released on August 27, 2026.
Total citrus acreage stands at 165,359 acres (66,919 hectares), down 21 per cent from the previous annual survey. The industry recorded a gross loss of 48,027 acres (19,436 hectares) and 5,200 acres (2,104 hectares) of new plantings, resulting in a net loss of 42,827 acres (17,332 hectares). In 2025, total citrus acreage was 208,186 acres (84,250 hectares).
Orange acreage declined 22 per cent to 143,650 acres (58,133 hectares). Valencia oranges account for 67 per cent of total orange acreage, while non-Valencia varieties represent 31 per cent. Grapefruit acreage decreased 10 per cent to 11,456 acres (4,636 hectares), while specialty fruit acreage declined 11 percent to 10,253 acres (4,149 hectares). Tangerines and tangelos account for 4,813 acres (1,948 hectares) of specialty citrus.
All 23 published counties recorded acreage declines. Polk County registered the largest reduction, losing 10,944 acres (4,429 hectares), but remained the leading county with 37,529 total acres (15,187 hectares). Highlands County followed with 34,671 acres (14,031 hectares).
Despite the reduction in acreage, Florida’s citrus crop increased during 2025-2026. All citrus output reached 15.7 million boxes, up 7 per cent from 14.7 million boxes in the previous season. Orange output increased 5 per cent to 13.0 million boxes. Non-Valencia oranges reached 4.77 million boxes, up 4 per cent, while Valencia oranges increased 7 per cent to 8.18 million boxes.
Grapefruit output increased 4 per cent to 1.35 million boxes. Tangerine and tangelo output was up 15 per cent from the previous season, while lemon output increased 34 per cent.
Polk was the largest citrus-producing county at 3.27 million boxes, followed by Highlands at 3.07 million boxes, Desoto at 1.66 million boxes, St. Lucie at 1.40 million boxes, and Hardee at 1.31 million boxes. Together, these counties accounted for 73 per cent of the state’s total citrus output.
A larger pecan crop is expected by Texas growers in 2026, despite dry and hot weather during kernel fill.
There also is the presence of disease and insects, which could adversely affect yields and quality, according to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
The Tri-State Pecan Growers Association estimated the Texas crop at around 42 million pounds, while A&M estimated output at approximately 39 million pounds, compared with 32 million pounds last year.
A wet spring in North, East, and Central Texas reduced irrigation requirements but increased disease pressure. Growers reported pecan scab, downy spot, and powdery mildew.
Conditions subsequently became hot and dry as trees entered kernel fill, which runs from August into September and is a period of high water demand.
Growers with access to irrigation are better positioned to complete kernel development, while orchards without sufficient water face more uncertainty.
Pecan nut casebearer pressure was also above normal this season. Larvae can damage the crop by burrowing into nuts and feeding on the kernel.
An Analysis by the American Farm Burea measured against a 2010 baseline, reveals United States fresh fruit imports are up 69 percent by volume while domestic fruit production has fallen 32 percent. The two curves crossed in 2013 and have not converged since.
While U.S. domestic fruit production is decline, America’s population expanded by 10 percent.
Between 2020 and 2025, pesticide costs rose 25 percent, fuel 31 percent, fertilizer 37 percent, and labor close to 50 percent, while average cash expenses on specialty crop farms passed $466,000 in 2023, up 47 percent from 2021.
Fruit offers few tools for absorbing that: crops are perishable, harvest windows are short, storage is rarely an option, and there is no futures market to hedge a price collapse.
As domestic volume has contracted, imports have taken the space. Figures from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) show imports supplied 59 percent of US fresh fruit availability in 2023, up from 50 percent in 2007, leaving domestic sources at roughly 41 percent.
Much of that growth still fills genuine seasonal gaps, but the report’s crop-level analysis finds imports increasingly arriving earlier and staying later, a pattern USDA economists call market window creep, which concentrates competition in the early and late weeks when domestic growers have historically earned the prices that carry a season.
The AFBF’s conclusion is that trade remains necessary, but a shrinking domestic base leaves US fruit supply more exposed to weather, political instability, and food safety events abroad.
Texas citrus growers in the Rio Grande Valley are reporting a positive production outlook for the current season despite ongoing hot and dry conditions across the region. Texas Citrus Mutual President Dale Murden says growers are contending with multiple levels of drought and could use more rainfall as the crop moves through the final weeks of summer.
Murden says the industry is coming off a stronger year and expects that momentum to carry forward. “All said, last year’s crop was up about 13 per cent over the year before. We shipped a little over six million cartons, and I think we’re poised to have another increase this year. Not that rain wouldn’t be welcome, but all in all, the crop looks pretty good.”
Along with weather, labor continues to be a persistent concern for Texas citrus producers. Murden says existing programs are inadequate and the problem is growing. Several bills currently before Congress could address some of those shortfalls, and Murden is calling on lawmakers to reach agreement on at least one of them. “There have been several bills introduced that are all common sense fixes to some of the problems that we have. What we need is for Congress to just get together on it and pick one. I don’t care if it’s a D or an R.”
The Michigan Apple industry is expecting a high-quality crop of apples in 2026. The majority of apple-producing regions in Michigan report above-average apple crops with exceptional fruit size and color.
Michigan Apple industry representatives have stated that they believe the crop is larger than the USDA estimated 25 million bushels (1.05 billion lbs.) of apples.
“We know the apple crop is above 25 million bushels this year. The quality is amazing and the size is larger, leading to more bushels,” said Diane Smith, executive director of the Michigan Apple Committee BB #:157755. “There were some spring weather issues and problems with return bloom this year, but they are localized. Overall, Michigan’s apple crop is looking great.”
Many factors contribute to the size of an apple crop, including weather, bloom conditions and tree health. Michigan Apples are available year-round, and can be found at about 200 farm markets and cider mills in Michigan as well as more than 12,000 retail groceries across the U.S., according to Smith.
On average, Michigan growers harvest about 27.2 million bushels per year. Michigan is in the top three apple producing states, along with Washington and New York. Harvest is underway, with early varieties like Paula Red, Ginger Gold and Gala being the first on the market.
The Michigan Apple Committee has outlined key release dates and flavor profiles for the season’s most anticipated varieties:
• Mid-August (Early Harvesters): Kick off the season with Paula Red (zesty and tart) and Ginger Gold (sweet with a subtle tang), available starting around August 17.
• Late August (Sweet & Crisp Favorites): The popular Gala hits markets around August 24, followed closely by the juicy crunch of Honeycrisp starting August 31.
• September (Tasty Classics): Golden Delicious and McIntosh will be available around September 7, while Red Delicious, Fuji and Jonagold can be found later in September.
• October & Early November (Flavorful Newcomers): The refreshing and floral Ambrosia will be available around October 5, long-lasting EverCrisp picked around October 26, and closing out the Michigan Apple season, the pink, crisp and juicy Cripps Pink available November 2.
Michigan’s apple industry is powered by 850 multigenerational farm families—many now in their fourth or fifth generation—dedicated to growing world-class fruit. Consumers can support local growers by visiting cider mills, farm markets, and agri-tourism destinations, or by choosing Michigan-grown apples at their local grocery store.
The Michigan Apple Committee works on behalf of Michigan apple growers through marketing, research, education, and outreach to increase consumption, support growers, and ensure a strong and sustainable apple industry.
A new campaign spotlights the functional nutrition benefits of mushrooms.
“We’re helping to educate consumers about mushrooms’ role in the MIND diet, a plant-forward eating pattern designed to promote brain health,” commented Cristie Mather, vice president of marketing with the Mushroom Council.
“We know that when Millennial and Gen Z consumers seek foods for their functional benefits, they prioritize cognition and brain health as the top benefit they seek.” As a part of the MIND diet, mushrooms provide several nutrients and bioactive compounds that may play a role in supporting brain health, with ergothioneine (ERGO) being the standout. Mushrooms are one of the top food sources of ERGO with Shiitake, Oyster, King Trumpet and Lion’s Mane especially showing an abundance.
Portabella mushrooms in particular witness a sales surge during the summer months, driven by their ease of use in grilling. Whether grilled whole as a meaty main or burger, large Portabella caps are a natural fit for the flame, and the hot summer sales prove it.
Portabella mushrooms combined with White Button and Crimini/Baby Bella represent the highest volume for the category. Together, these varieties make up more than 90 percent of total volume sold in the U.S. Specialty mushrooms continue to capture the interest of mushroom shoppers with Shiitake being the most popular in terms of volume sold. In addition, significant YOY sales volume increases have been witnessed for Lion’s Mane and Trumpet mushrooms. For the highest-volume varieties, their popularity is driven by the fact that most consumers are very familiar with these mushrooms and appreciate their versatility in recipes and their relevance to a range of cuisines. However, increased awareness of mushrooms’ functional nutrition benefits has become a progressively important driver of consumption. Lion’s Mane for instance is a star of the supplement aisle, helping to deepen awareness of mushroom nutrition.
Hansen Farms in Rupert, ID, launched its annual potato harvest September 14.
The company grows seven potato varieties across approximately 60 fields, including Burbanks, Norkotahs, Clearwaters, Rangers, Reveille, Kings, and Dakotas. Storage facilities on the farm have been readied for the incoming yield, with each storage shed holding up to 10 million pounds of potatoes.
Brian Hansen, fourth-generation farm operations manager at Hansen Farms, says the preparation process runs up to ten months ahead of the first day in the fields. “We actually start preparing for harvest in the wintertime,” Hansen says. “Last December we started going through machinery, planning on any kind of changes that we were going to make from an operation standpoint and how we set up our machinery. That carries all the way through spring and summer, and you can see behind [us] we’ve got equipment starting to get set up. We test run things, we look for just problems that we can fix to help deliver the best quality potato that we can.”
Beyond machinery, the heat Idaho has experienced this summer has added pressure on the operation. Hansen says elevated temperatures over recent years have accelerated crop aging and made moisture management more difficult. “The hot conditions have impacted our crop over the last three to five years, I would say. It makes it age more quickly; it’s harder to keep the moisture that we need in the fields. That heat has definitely played a role in potato quality for this year.”
The dry summer also raises concerns about the following season. Hansen says water conservation is a topic now entering conversations in a way it has not before. “I think this is the first year where we’re actually hearing and seeing people talk about conserving more water and cutting that water back. Hoping that we have a good winter because next year I think is when we’re really going to see an impact on water availability.”
According to a monthly survey, the total number of apples in storage on Aug. 1, 2026, was 23 million bushels, seven percent less than last August’s total of 25 million bushels. Data are not yet available to calculate the July five-year average.
Michigan did not report holdings for August 2026. Michigan’s holdings two months ago (June 2026) were 1.3 million bushels. It is assumed that a portion of those apples remain. Michigan also did not report their storages in July 2026, so movement will not be inflated by unreported August holdings.
Fresh apple holdings this August totaled 16 million bushels, 13 percent less than the inventories reported for last August. Processing holdings totaled 7 million bushels, 11 percent more than last year on August 1.
With a late Labor Day (Sept. 7) this year, Butch’s Best of Capac, MI shipped it first loads of pumpkins in late August. Shipments typically begin around Labor Day.
The broker/distributor/fresh cut packer has over 18 pumpkin growers in eight states and Canada growing a variety of pumpkins including regular pumpkins, heirlooms, ornamental, pie pumpkins and a painted pumpkin program, most of which run through the end of October. It also has Delicata squash which goes until December. The company also ships a number of other vegetables.
An unknown this year is how many pumpkins there are scattered across many regions due to drastic weather differences. Some areas like Indiana got 10-12 inches of rain and parts of it and Ohio got 90 mile per hour winds. It was a very perfect growing season for everyone and then it got really wet in a lot of places. By contrast some regions were dry. For example, parts of Michigan and New York were pretty dry.
Meanwhile Texas had weeks of extreme heat this summer, while those other growing regions were dealing with that excessive rain, flooding, high winds and hail. For this reason Butch’s Best has diversified its suppliers to be from eight states and Canada.
This all comes amidst an already challenging growing year following freezes in Florida and heat in the Midwest, the Northeast and California. That’s pushed numerous crops out too fast.
Storms and flash flooding across central Ohio in late August caused losses for pumpkin growers ahead of the state’s autumn picking season.
Pumpkin patches across Ohio are preparing for the picking season, which generally starts during the first half of September. Some growing areas experienced heavy rainfall, winds, flooding, and crop losses during the storms.
Sam’s Pumpkin Patch in Pickerington lost around 50 per cent of its pumpkin crop to flooding. The farm covers 20 acres (8.1 hectares) and primarily grows pumpkins and gourds. The company has contacted other growers with available supplies to avoid closing for the remainder of the season.
Other pumpkin-growing areas were less affected. Lehner’s Pumpkin Farm in Radnor received heavy rainfall, but its crop avoided wind damage.
Overall, U.S. pumpkin shipments got off to a strong start this season.
The new season Northwest pear harvest was launched July 27, a little earlier than the normal mid-August start.
Since there was no carryover inventory from the previous year, new harvest arrived with fresh momentum. The season began in Medford, Oregon and is moving north through Mid-Columbia, Oregon, and into Yakima and Wenatchee, Washington.
“Following a smaller crop in 2024 and an abundant crop in 2025, this year’s pear crop is expected to be normal in size,” says Barbara Ruhs with USA Pears.
Recently, wildfires in Washington’s Okanogan region have affected some pear-growing communities. Because the situation is still evolving, it is too soon to determine the full impact on this year’s crop.
The fruit sized up well due to a mild winter and limited frost pressure. As a result, Bartlett pears are larger in size and supply of smaller fruit is more limited this season. While sizing is larger, it is too early to know which varieties will deliver the strongest final yields. Pears rely on cold storage to develop their natural sweetness and must continue to perform well through handling, storage, and distribution.
Florida’s commercial citrus acreage declined in 2026, while citrus output increased during the 2025-2026 season, according to two USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service reports released on August 27, 2026.
Total citrus acreage stands at 165,359 acres (66,919 hectares), down 21 per cent from the previous annual survey. The industry recorded a gross loss of 48,027 acres (19,436 hectares) and 5,200 acres (2,104 hectares) of new plantings, resulting in a net loss of 42,827 acres (17,332 hectares). In 2025, total citrus acreage was 208,186 acres (84,250 hectares).
Orange acreage declined 22 per cent to 143,650 acres (58,133 hectares). Valencia oranges account for 67 per cent of total orange acreage, while non-Valencia varieties represent 31 per cent. Grapefruit acreage decreased 10 per cent to 11,456 acres (4,636 hectares), while specialty fruit acreage declined 11 percent to 10,253 acres (4,149 hectares). Tangerines and tangelos account for 4,813 acres (1,948 hectares) of specialty citrus.
All 23 published counties recorded acreage declines. Polk County registered the largest reduction, losing 10,944 acres (4,429 hectares), but remained the leading county with 37,529 total acres (15,187 hectares). Highlands County followed with 34,671 acres (14,031 hectares).
Despite the reduction in acreage, Florida’s citrus crop increased during 2025-2026. All citrus output reached 15.7 million boxes, up 7 per cent from 14.7 million boxes in the previous season. Orange output increased 5 per cent to 13.0 million boxes. Non-Valencia oranges reached 4.77 million boxes, up 4 per cent, while Valencia oranges increased 7 per cent to 8.18 million boxes.
Grapefruit output increased 4 per cent to 1.35 million boxes. Tangerine and tangelo output was up 15 per cent from the previous season, while lemon output increased 34 per cent.
Polk was the largest citrus-producing county at 3.27 million boxes, followed by Highlands at 3.07 million boxes, Desoto at 1.66 million boxes, St. Lucie at 1.40 million boxes, and Hardee at 1.31 million boxes. Together, these counties accounted for 73 per cent of the state’s total citrus output.
A larger pecan crop is expected by Texas growers in 2026, despite dry and hot weather during kernel fill.
There also is the presence of disease and insects, which could adversely affect yields and quality, according to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
The Tri-State Pecan Growers Association estimated the Texas crop at around 42 million pounds, while A&M estimated output at approximately 39 million pounds, compared with 32 million pounds last year.
A wet spring in North, East, and Central Texas reduced irrigation requirements but increased disease pressure. Growers reported pecan scab, downy spot, and powdery mildew.
Conditions subsequently became hot and dry as trees entered kernel fill, which runs from August into September and is a period of high water demand.
Growers with access to irrigation are better positioned to complete kernel development, while orchards without sufficient water face more uncertainty.
Pecan nut casebearer pressure was also above normal this season. Larvae can damage the crop by burrowing into nuts and feeding on the kernel.
An Analysis by the American Farm Burea measured against a 2010 baseline, reveals United States fresh fruit imports are up 69 percent by volume while domestic fruit production has fallen 32 percent. The two curves crossed in 2013 and have not converged since.
While U.S. domestic fruit production is decline, America’s population expanded by 10 percent.
Between 2020 and 2025, pesticide costs rose 25 percent, fuel 31 percent, fertilizer 37 percent, and labor close to 50 percent, while average cash expenses on specialty crop farms passed $466,000 in 2023, up 47 percent from 2021.
Fruit offers few tools for absorbing that: crops are perishable, harvest windows are short, storage is rarely an option, and there is no futures market to hedge a price collapse.
As domestic volume has contracted, imports have taken the space. Figures from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) show imports supplied 59 percent of US fresh fruit availability in 2023, up from 50 percent in 2007, leaving domestic sources at roughly 41 percent.
Much of that growth still fills genuine seasonal gaps, but the report’s crop-level analysis finds imports increasingly arriving earlier and staying later, a pattern USDA economists call market window creep, which concentrates competition in the early and late weeks when domestic growers have historically earned the prices that carry a season.
The AFBF’s conclusion is that trade remains necessary, but a shrinking domestic base leaves US fruit supply more exposed to weather, political instability, and food safety events abroad.
Texas citrus growers in the Rio Grande Valley are reporting a positive production outlook for the current season despite ongoing hot and dry conditions across the region. Texas Citrus Mutual President Dale Murden says growers are contending with multiple levels of drought and could use more rainfall as the crop moves through the final weeks of summer.
Murden says the industry is coming off a stronger year and expects that momentum to carry forward. “All said, last year’s crop was up about 13 per cent over the year before. We shipped a little over six million cartons, and I think we’re poised to have another increase this year. Not that rain wouldn’t be welcome, but all in all, the crop looks pretty good.”
Along with weather, labor continues to be a persistent concern for Texas citrus producers. Murden says existing programs are inadequate and the problem is growing. Several bills currently before Congress could address some of those shortfalls, and Murden is calling on lawmakers to reach agreement on at least one of them. “There have been several bills introduced that are all common sense fixes to some of the problems that we have. What we need is for Congress to just get together on it and pick one. I don’t care if it’s a D or an R.”
The Michigan Apple industry is expecting a high-quality crop of apples in 2026. The majority of apple-producing regions in Michigan report above-average apple crops with exceptional fruit size and color.
Michigan Apple industry representatives have stated that they believe the crop is larger than the USDA estimated 25 million bushels (1.05 billion lbs.) of apples.
“We know the apple crop is above 25 million bushels this year. The quality is amazing and the size is larger, leading to more bushels,” said Diane Smith, executive director of the Michigan Apple Committee BB #:157755. “There were some spring weather issues and problems with return bloom this year, but they are localized. Overall, Michigan’s apple crop is looking great.”
Many factors contribute to the size of an apple crop, including weather, bloom conditions and tree health. Michigan Apples are available year-round, and can be found at about 200 farm markets and cider mills in Michigan as well as more than 12,000 retail groceries across the U.S., according to Smith.
On average, Michigan growers harvest about 27.2 million bushels per year. Michigan is in the top three apple producing states, along with Washington and New York. Harvest is underway, with early varieties like Paula Red, Ginger Gold and Gala being the first on the market.
The Michigan Apple Committee has outlined key release dates and flavor profiles for the season’s most anticipated varieties:
• Mid-August (Early Harvesters): Kick off the season with Paula Red (zesty and tart) and Ginger Gold (sweet with a subtle tang), available starting around August 17.
• Late August (Sweet & Crisp Favorites): The popular Gala hits markets around August 24, followed closely by the juicy crunch of Honeycrisp starting August 31.
• September (Tasty Classics): Golden Delicious and McIntosh will be available around September 7, while Red Delicious, Fuji and Jonagold can be found later in September.
• October & Early November (Flavorful Newcomers): The refreshing and floral Ambrosia will be available around October 5, long-lasting EverCrisp picked around October 26, and closing out the Michigan Apple season, the pink, crisp and juicy Cripps Pink available November 2.
Michigan’s apple industry is powered by 850 multigenerational farm families—many now in their fourth or fifth generation—dedicated to growing world-class fruit. Consumers can support local growers by visiting cider mills, farm markets, and agri-tourism destinations, or by choosing Michigan-grown apples at their local grocery store.
The Michigan Apple Committee works on behalf of Michigan apple growers through marketing, research, education, and outreach to increase consumption, support growers, and ensure a strong and sustainable apple industry.
A new campaign spotlights the functional nutrition benefits of mushrooms.
“We’re helping to educate consumers about mushrooms’ role in the MIND diet, a plant-forward eating pattern designed to promote brain health,” commented Cristie Mather, vice president of marketing with the Mushroom Council.
“We know that when Millennial and Gen Z consumers seek foods for their functional benefits, they prioritize cognition and brain health as the top benefit they seek.” As a part of the MIND diet, mushrooms provide several nutrients and bioactive compounds that may play a role in supporting brain health, with ergothioneine (ERGO) being the standout. Mushrooms are one of the top food sources of ERGO with Shiitake, Oyster, King Trumpet and Lion’s Mane especially showing an abundance.
Portabella mushrooms in particular witness a sales surge during the summer months, driven by their ease of use in grilling. Whether grilled whole as a meaty main or burger, large Portabella caps are a natural fit for the flame, and the hot summer sales prove it.
Portabella mushrooms combined with White Button and Crimini/Baby Bella represent the highest volume for the category. Together, these varieties make up more than 90 percent of total volume sold in the U.S. Specialty mushrooms continue to capture the interest of mushroom shoppers with Shiitake being the most popular in terms of volume sold. In addition, significant YOY sales volume increases have been witnessed for Lion’s Mane and Trumpet mushrooms. For the highest-volume varieties, their popularity is driven by the fact that most consumers are very familiar with these mushrooms and appreciate their versatility in recipes and their relevance to a range of cuisines. However, increased awareness of mushrooms’ functional nutrition benefits has become a progressively important driver of consumption. Lion’s Mane for instance is a star of the supplement aisle, helping to deepen awareness of mushroom nutrition.
Hansen Farms in Rupert, ID, launched its annual potato harvest September 14.
The company grows seven potato varieties across approximately 60 fields, including Burbanks, Norkotahs, Clearwaters, Rangers, Reveille, Kings, and Dakotas. Storage facilities on the farm have been readied for the incoming yield, with each storage shed holding up to 10 million pounds of potatoes.
Brian Hansen, fourth-generation farm operations manager at Hansen Farms, says the preparation process runs up to ten months ahead of the first day in the fields. “We actually start preparing for harvest in the wintertime,” Hansen says. “Last December we started going through machinery, planning on any kind of changes that we were going to make from an operation standpoint and how we set up our machinery. That carries all the way through spring and summer, and you can see behind [us] we’ve got equipment starting to get set up. We test run things, we look for just problems that we can fix to help deliver the best quality potato that we can.”
Beyond machinery, the heat Idaho has experienced this summer has added pressure on the operation. Hansen says elevated temperatures over recent years have accelerated crop aging and made moisture management more difficult. “The hot conditions have impacted our crop over the last three to five years, I would say. It makes it age more quickly; it’s harder to keep the moisture that we need in the fields. That heat has definitely played a role in potato quality for this year.”
The dry summer also raises concerns about the following season. Hansen says water conservation is a topic now entering conversations in a way it has not before. “I think this is the first year where we’re actually hearing and seeing people talk about conserving more water and cutting that water back. Hoping that we have a good winter because next year I think is when we’re really going to see an impact on water availability.”
According to a monthly survey, the total number of apples in storage on Aug. 1, 2026, was 23 million bushels, seven percent less than last August’s total of 25 million bushels. Data are not yet available to calculate the July five-year average.
Michigan did not report holdings for August 2026. Michigan’s holdings two months ago (June 2026) were 1.3 million bushels. It is assumed that a portion of those apples remain. Michigan also did not report their storages in July 2026, so movement will not be inflated by unreported August holdings.
Fresh apple holdings this August totaled 16 million bushels, 13 percent less than the inventories reported for last August. Processing holdings totaled 7 million bushels, 11 percent more than last year on August 1.
With a late Labor Day (Sept. 7) this year, Butch’s Best of Capac, MI shipped it first loads of pumpkins in late August. Shipments typically begin around Labor Day.
The broker/distributor/fresh cut packer has over 18 pumpkin growers in eight states and Canada growing a variety of pumpkins including regular pumpkins, heirlooms, ornamental, pie pumpkins and a painted pumpkin program, most of which run through the end of October. It also has Delicata squash which goes until December. The company also ships a number of other vegetables.
An unknown this year is how many pumpkins there are scattered across many regions due to drastic weather differences. Some areas like Indiana got 10-12 inches of rain and parts of it and Ohio got 90 mile per hour winds. It was a very perfect growing season for everyone and then it got really wet in a lot of places. By contrast some regions were dry. For example, parts of Michigan and New York were pretty dry.
Meanwhile Texas had weeks of extreme heat this summer, while those other growing regions were dealing with that excessive rain, flooding, high winds and hail. For this reason Butch’s Best has diversified its suppliers to be from eight states and Canada.
This all comes amidst an already challenging growing year following freezes in Florida and heat in the Midwest, the Northeast and California. That’s pushed numerous crops out too fast.
Storms and flash flooding across central Ohio in late August caused losses for pumpkin growers ahead of the state’s autumn picking season.
Pumpkin patches across Ohio are preparing for the picking season, which generally starts during the first half of September. Some growing areas experienced heavy rainfall, winds, flooding, and crop losses during the storms.
Sam’s Pumpkin Patch in Pickerington lost around 50 per cent of its pumpkin crop to flooding. The farm covers 20 acres (8.1 hectares) and primarily grows pumpkins and gourds. The company has contacted other growers with available supplies to avoid closing for the remainder of the season.
Other pumpkin-growing areas were less affected. Lehner’s Pumpkin Farm in Radnor received heavy rainfall, but its crop avoided wind damage.
Overall, U.S. pumpkin shipments got off to a strong start this season.
The new season Northwest pear harvest was launched July 27, a little earlier than the normal mid-August start.
Since there was no carryover inventory from the previous year, new harvest arrived with fresh momentum. The season began in Medford, Oregon and is moving north through Mid-Columbia, Oregon, and into Yakima and Wenatchee, Washington.
“Following a smaller crop in 2024 and an abundant crop in 2025, this year’s pear crop is expected to be normal in size,” says Barbara Ruhs with USA Pears.
Recently, wildfires in Washington’s Okanogan region have affected some pear-growing communities. Because the situation is still evolving, it is too soon to determine the full impact on this year’s crop.
The fruit sized up well due to a mild winter and limited frost pressure. As a result, Bartlett pears are larger in size and supply of smaller fruit is more limited this season. While sizing is larger, it is too early to know which varieties will deliver the strongest final yields. Pears rely on cold storage to develop their natural sweetness and must continue to perform well through handling, storage, and distribution.