September 3rd, 2019
Tomatoes
Pear Shapes – Harvest completed mid-last week.
Conventionals – Harvest continues to progress with mid-season plantings coming in. Crop looks good with fruit quality still positive. Field yields continue to remain average. Continue to see some concerns in a few fields due to unseasonably high dews in the morning. Growers noting and taking precautions to minimize the impact. Our harvest must extend to October 11th in order for us to pack enough cases for our fiscal year demand. We are hoping for the best but remain cautious with our prediction.
Organics – Harvest completed with final tonnage of 27,077 tons, 23% short of our planned pack budget.
Peaches
Extra Late varietals are the final variety left and is approximately 73% completed. These varietal types, such as Starns and Sullivans, continue to come in. Size and quality have been good. Peach size is bigger for most growers in the Extra Late varieties. Labor has gotten tight in some areas which is extending harvest for a few growers due to competition from prune and almond harvest starting. Anticipated final harvest date is 9/13. Finished orchards are being topped in preparation for the 2020 season.
Cherries
Harvest began June 7th and completed August 9th. Our final 2019 crop quantity was on mark with our estimated crop predictions.
Grapes
Fruit looks good as harvest continues. Some growers are finished with a few others still going. Anticipate harvest to be completed by the end of next week.
Pears
Last days of harvest are upon us. Fruit quality is good with some large fruit size as well. A few growers will not make their estimated deliveries putting us 400 tons short of our previous estimate.
Apricots
Harvest began June 20th and completed July 12th. Our final 2019 crop quantity was slightly above our estimated crop predictions.