Crop Report: June 7th, 2022
Tomatoes
Conventionals – Transplanting is now completed. Early and mid season plantings continue to grow and mature nicely. Late season planting is still in the developing stage. Overall crop looks good.
San Marzano Style – Crop is growing nice and plants look healthy. Harvest is anticipated to begin as soon as organic harvest is complete.
Organics – Crop is continuing to grow and mature nicely. Normal cultural practices and crop protection continue.
Peaches
Organics – Harvest officially began on June 3rd, 4 days earlier than last year. Peaches are looking good. Normal cultural practices along with crop protection as needed.
Conventionals – Pre-harvest outlook is quite alarming at this time. Two frost events, one lasting four full nights during the last week of February with temperatures as low as 25 degrees, and another April 14th with freeze occurring, have damaged and greatly reduced the tree limb fruit counts which remain. Our tonnage estimate is currently 16.5% lower than originally predicted for this year and 15.5% lower than our 2021 harvest. Irrigation is being applied as needeed. Normal cultural practices continue in all orchards.
Pears
California – Fruit size is progressing along nicely and as expected. The fruit drop continues; the process when the pears go from pointing upwards to hanging downward from the branch. Crop quality in all districts looks good and continues to grow. Overall tonnage looks ideal for this year’s harvest needs. All normal cultural practices and crop protections continues.
Pacific Northwest – Tonnage estimates are approximately 23% lighter than our desired amount for this year’s harvest.
Grapes
Grapes continue to progress nicely. Triple digit temperatures forecasted for later this week causes some concern for growers. Fruit canopies in most vineyards look good and will hopefully provide protection to bunches from sunburn. Normal cultural practices and crop protections continue.
Cherries
Cherry crop development is tracking behind compared to last year due to below average temperatures and rain. For The Dalles and Salem, harvest is expected to begin between June 17 to 24. All cultural practices and crop protection continue as needed.
Apricots
Harvest officially began May 31st. We are seeing green fruit along with ripe fruit in the same orchard blocks making harvest a challenge. Winds have been constant and brutal as well causing fruit damage. Triple digit heat is forecasted for later this week which is a concern for growers.
Pineapple
Thailand – Weather continues to be ideal for the summer harvest with the season coming to an end mid-July. Winter crop is expected to be stable and start mid-September. Ocean freight is becoming more reliable to exterior port locations.
Indonesia – Crop is on track to break record tonnage. Ocean freight continues to experience delays.
Mandarin Oranges
China: Crop tonnage was constrained this past harvest resulting in inventory shortages in the market. However, in the Hubei region, crop estimates this season look promising. COVID continues to cause supply chain issues with the government shutdowns and travel limitations, resulting in labor concerns as many workers travel from rural areas to work.