California got off to a great start to its avocado season and has already shipped a fair amount of fruit with great returns.

California Strawberries kicks off peak season with the launch of its national Love, Strawberries jingle contest. Running April 1-22, aspiring musicians and strawberry enthusiasts alike are encouraged to write, record and post their original 45-second jingle masterpieces highlighting the love people have for the famous heart-shaped berry via social media. California Strawberries will award one talented winner $10,000 plus an all-expense-paid trip for two to California.

In preparation for California’s upcoming avocado season, Del Rey Avocado has introduced a Compac packing line.

“We are very excited as it will allow us to pack more fruit in less hours so our efficiency and total output will increase drastically,” said Patrick Lucy, president of the Fallbrook, CA-based company. The new line is the year-long project of Jessica Hunter, CEO of Del Rey.

The ever-increasing love of avocados by consumers has stretched supply channels and caused most California avocados to be marketed in the western half of the country. But a tracking study, conducted on behalf of the California Avocado Commission by a third-party organization, revealed that the fruit has an excellent reputation throughout the nation.

While this year’s entire California avocado crop is projected at 306 million pounds — slightly higher than the state’s sub-300-million total last year — Henry Avocado greatly increased its capacity for ripening at its Milpitas distribution center in Northern California. The expansion increases the annual volume there to more than 2 million cartons.

Mission Produce Inc. is a leader in distributing fresh Hass avocados. The company said increased volume is expected by the industry for this year’s California season. Stephen Fink, vice president of North American Sales said, “the season is off to a strong start, with peak harvest expected between May and July. Industry volume is anticipated to be higher than last year at around 306 million pounds, with sizing currently on the smaller side.”

Added volume and smaller overall sizing has been a general refrain among California growers.