California avocado crop rebounds

News in Charts: Overview of the of the California avocado season, complemented by charts from Agronometrics. Original published on March 20, 2020.

California’s avocado crop is expected to rebound in 2020, with the state’s growers shipping 369 million pounds — about a 70% increase over last year — according to the Irvine-based California Avocado Commission.

Early-season volume slightly exceeded projections, the commission reported, and industry expectations are that volume will peak from April through July and continue through Labor Day.

A lot of harvesting already was going on in February, said Bob Lucy, partner at Del Rey Avocado Co. Inc., Fallbrook, Calif.

“Prices are crazy strong,” he said.

F.o.b. prices for two-layer cartons of size 48 avocados from Southern California were mostly $56.25-58.25 on March 2, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

USDA was not yet quoting prices on California fruit in early March of last year, but two years ago, f.o.b. prices were $38.25-40.25.

Historic prices of California’s avocados in US market (cartons of size 48 avocados, 48s)

Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics.
(Agronometrics users can view this chart with live updates here)

“We’re excited about the increased volume,” said Dana Thomas, president and CEO of Index Fresh Inc., Riverside, Calif.

Some growers started picking in mid-January because of the strong markets and a desire to start shipping their heavy volume, he said.

Quality has been excellent.

The News in Charts is a collection of stories from the industry complemented by charts from Agronometrics to help better tell their story.

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