Crop Report: July 29th, 2020
Tomatoes
Conventionals – Crop is maturing nicely and continues to look good. Harvest has been slightly delayed to allow the organic tomato harvest to complete. Our conventional tomato packing journey for fiscal year 2021 (calendar 2020) will begin on Thursday, July 30th.
San Marzano Style– The crop is maturing nicely and plants continue to look healthy. Harvest has been slightly delayed to allow the organic tomato harvest to complete. Likewise, this harvest will commence on Thursday, July 30th.
Organics – Harvest continues and field yields have increased significantly. The quality of the raw fruit has also increased putting us on target for reaching our tonnage goal. This organic tomato harvest and production season will complete on Thursday morning, July 30th.
Peaches
Organics – Harvest began on June 3rd. Growers are harvesting the last of this crop and should be finished by next week. Normal cultural practices and irrigation continue as needed.
Conventionals – Extra Early varieties will finish next week. Actual tonnage is below crop estimates due to growers struggling with undersized fruit. Early varieties are moving along as expected. Split pits continue to be an issue for this varietal group. We will begin picking Ross early next week. Uneven ripening is visible for this varietal and will continue to be a challenge for growers. Normal cultural practices and irrigation continue as needed.
Pears
River districts are beginning their field deliveries. Overall crop is light with large fruit size. A handful of Sacramento River District growers are delaying their harvest by a few days in hopes that some of the smaller fruit from the second bloom will increase in size prior to picking. Linden district will begin harvest this week. Fruit continues to grow in the Mendocino and Lake districts with harvest anticipated to begin mid-August. Normal cultural practices and crop protection continue.
Grapes
Harvest began July 27th. Normal cultural practices and crop protection continue. Irrigation is occurring as needed due to increased daytime temperatures.
Cherries
The cherry harvest is over 80% complete. We will continue into August with daily loads decreasing as we wrap up the harvest.
Apricots
Apricot harvest was completed on June 25th. Actual tonnage received was significantly less than anticipated. Stress from the full tonnage harvest and premium quality of 2019, unfortunately led to a lighter yield in this year’s crop. Apricots (like avocados) tend to yield excellent quantities every other year. Other contributing factors include lack of adequate winter rainfall and less than ideal chilling hours by 40%.