Peruvian coast begins 26/27 season with great challenges

Unusually high temperatures during the winter prevented the plants from resting before pruning, leaving them weakened. In addition, some companies extended the harvest season, which will negatively impact estimated yields for the upcoming season on the Peruvian coast.

The experience of 23/24 should have taught us the importance of allowing the trees to rest, even if it means delaying pruning. Some growers did so, and today their orchards are showing good results. In contrast, those who finished the harvest and pruned immediately are facing vegetative growth that will limit the number of blooms and, therefore, the fruit set.

On the other hand, we've received calls from fellow growers asking how to reduce costs, assuming they won't have any fruit. These fields, because the trees haven't had a rest period, show shoots without flowers or, sometimes, intense blooms without leaves. This will cause the trees to drop their fruit set when the leaves finally emerge, due to natural competition.

Those who did their job well will have fruit in a year when a lower supply from Peru is expected during the April-August season. This reduction will likely drive prices above historical averages.

Good for the producers who learned their lesson!