Crop Report: November 2nd, 2021
Tomatoes
Conventionals – Harvest began July 26th and was completed on October 5th. Overall yields were less than expected in some fields however crop quality was good and consistent.
San Marzano Style – Harvest completed Friday, August 20th. Although our quality of plum tomatoes was quite good and yield per tons delivered was exceptional, our crop came in at 55% of desired. Products that use this tomato will be limited on availability due to this unforeseen outcome.
Organics – Harvest began July 6th and was completed July 26th. Our organic tomato crop picked out at 70% of expectations with a disappointing yield that affected our peeling percentage and overall total cases produced this summer.
Peaches
Organics – Harvest completed on Monday, September 6th. We were able to successfully pack our expected tonnage.
Conventionals – Harvest began on June 30th and was completed on September 10th. This year’s crop was hampered by unusually hot spring temperatures, an ongoing California drought, and lack of deep soil moisture which affected overall fruit sizing. As harvest unfolded, our expected tonnage turned out to be 13% short and will affect our overall supply of finished canned goods this year. As always, we will do our best to help our valued customers stay in stock through to new pack, but with this tightened supply our carryover has been effectively eliminated.
Pears
Harvest began July 26th and was completed September 23rd. Growers struggled with fruit sizing requiring additional labor in the orchard to assist in sorting through fruit. Fortunately growers were able to deliver their full tonnage to meet our estimates.
Grapes
Harvest began July 26th and was completed September 22nd. Extreme heat prior to the start of harvest took a tool on some of the crop. Despite this obstacle there was enough fruit available to meet our expected tonnage needs.
Cherries
Harvest began June 4th and was completed August 20th. Cherries experienced an early frost during bloom and were then impacted by the “heat dome” that blanked the NW this summer. The region experienced temperatures above 100 degrees for ten days during the peak of harvest. This caused significantly more dark color and a much higher incidence of stem loss.
Apricots
Harvest began June 11th and was completed July 7th. Fruit quality was clean throughout harvest. Sizing issues were apparent but growers were able to sort out small fruit. Based on trends next season will be a smaller crop however growers will do what they can to mitigate if possible.
Mango
Harvest was late but overall quality is good and ample. Plants continue to face impacts from COVID as they struggled with labor. We continue to face increased costs due to labor and raw material cost increases.
Pineapple
COVID continues to hinder the workforce as labor typically comes into these countries from other Southeast Asian countries. Because of this, plants are operating at 65% capacity and are not running as efficient. Crop looks ample & positive for this summer’s pack as well as the winter crop.
Oysters
This year’s crop was sporadic in volume and small in size. Farmers could only secure small quantities of oysters daily, therefore storing them longer until the volume was large enough for shipping. Oysters in prolonged storage are not ideal for canning causing a shortage in available product.
Peaches
Peaches in Greece were effected by a large frost event that occurred during bloom this spring. This has effected the overall volume for this harvest. Pricing is still not determined. Chinese peaches suffered fruit loss as well due to weather. Fruit cost has gone up over 20%.