Californian peach, nectarine and plum growers are holding out for a 50.5 million-container crop this season. That is slightly larger than last year’s 47.5m containers, although down on 2004 and 2005 volumes, which stood at 50.8m and 50.9m containers respectively. Projected figures for this season stand at 20.2m containers of peaches, 19m of nectarines and 11.3m containers of plums.
The California Tree Fruit Agreement (CTFA) also reports that early varieties of peach and nectarine are an estimated one week ahead of 2006, although crop timing was moderately delayed last season. As the crop moves out of low-chill varieties and into high-chill cultivars around mid-May, timing is expected to fall a week to 10 days ahead of 2006.
“Weather throughout the pre-season period remained ideal,” said the CTFA. “Warm weather during bloom sped up crop progress, but a long period of cool and moderate weather allowed for even fruit growth and maturity.” Flavour on early varieties is reportedly good. Sizing will be slightly down from normal, although is set to increase as the season progresses.
"We expect strong demand for the crop and more international shipments this year," said CTFA president Sheri Mierau.
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