Summer is on the horizon, and the many of the season’s staple crops are off to strong starts.
First up: strawberries. Like the cherry crop, which experienced an early start this year due to an historically hot March, the strawberry season is already underway. Peak season will last until September, with an expected weekly volume of 7 million to 8 million trays through August. Thanks to new varieties like the organic Artesia and the high-yield Castaic, as well as an increase in acreage, overall production is projected to exceed last year’s total of 236 million trays. That’s good news for California, which produces 90% of American-grown strawberries.
Table grape season is starting early, too. 99% of the country’s commercially-grown table grapes come from California, thanks to powerhouse regions like the Coachella Valley (where the harvest is already underway) and the San Joaquin Valley (which will begin harvesting later this summer). Unprecedented heat and an historically early bloom have pushed the grape cycle ahead of its usual pace by 14 to 16 days, which should result in longer retail availability and, hopefully, strong sales.
The stone fruit season is also ahead of schedule. Peaches, nectarines, and plums are all expected to begin their harvests six to 10 days ahead of last year. Once again, warm weather is the driving force behind the early harvests.
When it comes to harvesting crops, Fruit Growers Supply has all the tools a grower could need. Whether you’re looking for bags, gloves, pruners, or orchard ladders, visit one of our supply centers for an extensive inventory and expert advice!