Peter Shore, vice president of production management at Calavo Growers Inc., is optimistic about California's 2024 avocado season. Although the total crop is estimated to be down about 12 percent, Shore notes that the situation is not uniform across all regions. The majority of the crop will come from areas such as Santa Paula, the Santa Clara River area, and other growing regions in Ventura County. In contrast, Riverside, San Diego, and Orange counties, along with the northernmost district, had a poor harvest due to a wet and cool start to spring last year.

Shore reports that Calavo growers have already begun harvesting their fruit and are expecting a positive season, with a gradual increase in volume throughout March and a peak production in April, May, and June. Regarding the market, he notes that the price for size 48 avocados was around $40 per box in early March, which could encourage some growers to select the size of their harvests. He also forecasts warmer weather in the coming days, which will favor fruit growth and encourage harvesting.

As the season progresses, California's production is expected to focus on size 48 avocados, while in Mexico, which is nearing the end of its season, the supply is geared toward smaller sizes. However, Shore anticipates that as the Mexican season winds down, the availability of larger sizes could increase.

Calavo will offer a wide range of packaged avocado sizes, both loose and in bags, with an emphasis on Californian avocados. They will also promote the GEM variety, whose production is expected to be similar to last year's. Shore notes that most Californian avocados are distributed in the western states, with California, Oregon, and Washington being the main consumers. He also anticipates the arrival of Peruvian avocados in the United States by the end of June, although lower production in northern Peru could delay their availability in the U.S. market.

Source: The Produce News