The Fourth of July holiday week impacted activity in the fields, and California avocado growers harvested approximately 8.5 million pounds last week, slightly less than in recent weeks. Despite the slowdown, demand for California avocados remains strong and consistent, especially in western U.S. markets.

One of the main reasons behind this strong demand is the reliability and maturity of California fruit. With a market balancing multiple supply sources—old harvest from Mexico, new harvest from Mexico, Peru with long shipping times, and Colombia with similar delays—buyers continue to turn to California for its reliable quality, flavor, and consistency. In a world of unpredictable arrivals, California stands out.

Additionally, we've seen strong movement in sizes 60 and 84 over the past week, indicating broad demand across sizes. Producer prices have remained consistent and strong over the past few weeks, a trend that shows no signs of weakening. In fact, as the California season begins to wind down and summer demand remains strong, grower returns could potentially strengthen even further.

Looking ahead

We expect stronger, more stable markets for California avocados as the season progresses and challenges from other origins persist. We will keep you updated as we move through the summer.

Gary Clevenger Freska Produce International, LLC gary@freskaproduce.com