CAC forecasts tighter Californian avocado supply window - FreshFruitPortal.com

CAC forecasts tighter Californian avocado supply window

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CAC forecasts tighter Californian avocado supply window

After California notched its third-highest avocado crop on record last year, the state's industry body is forecasting lower volume in 2017 due to alternate bearing. In a release, the California Avocado Commission (CAC) reported last year's crop was above average in volume at 401.4 million pounds.

However, alternate bearing - a tendency which makes smaller crops follow larger crops and vice versa - means the supply window will be tighter, warranting marketing efforts focused on matching distribution.

"The California avocado harvest for 2017 is projected to be around 225 million pounds, and sizing of the fruit on the trees is looking very good now," CAC chairman Rick Shade said in the release. 

"CAC representatives and I have been out in groves in the various California avocado growing regions, and early sampling of the crop confirms the quality should be excellent this year."

Shade explained weather events in 2016 that would impact avocado orchards varied by region.

"The recent rains in California are good for this yearā€™s crop as well as for next yearā€™s," he said.

"Weā€™re evaluating what the rain will mean in terms of harvest timing. While some California avocados are already in distribution in a few local chains, in general it looks like a ramp up of harvesting in mid to late spring."

The Commissionā€™s 'Made of California' marketing campaign will continue this spring and summer, according to vice president marketing Jan DeLyser.

"CAC is working with handlers to target distribution of the crop where and when the fruit will be most valued," DeLyser said.

"Our advertising campaign is structured to be targeted and very flexible to support participating retailers and foodservice operators, and to let consumers know where to find the California avocados they love."

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