The recent rain and expected cold spell in the California citrus belt were welcomed by growers in the region. The current in the drought in the area tops grower concerns, and the needed rain should have positive effects on the water supply while also improving fruit size and quality.

With promotable volume of California grapes available through December, retail promotion and consumer advertising continue through year-end in the U.S., and in Canada, Mexico and other key export markets, according to Kathleen Nave, president of the California Table Grape Commission.

Noting that harvest is still under way in some areas, Nave said that in a typical season California ships grapes throughout the U.S. and to multiple export markets into January and this year looks to be no different.

Fruit World, a family-owned, flavor-focused grower-shipper of organic and conventional fruit, expects a robust citrus season, particularly for this year’s organic lemon crop. Promotable volumes of organic lemons from California’s desert region are anticipated through early March. Fruit World will also offer a diverse citrus program throughout the season, including organic and conventional mandarins, organic oranges, and organic specialty citrus such as sweet limes and Minneola tangelos.

With its Fresno, CA, location, Baloian Farms offers a strategic option for the fall to spring western vegetable production period. While most California-based leafy green vegetable grower-shippers tend to have a year-round program that transitions from the coast to the desert with the seasons, Baloian starts in the fall and transitions to the Coachella Valley for the winter and early spring.

The California Avocado Commission promoted Angela Fraser to director of trade and legal affairs. Fraser, who has worked for the commission for 21 years, will provide oversight and management of corporate legal affairs. She also will continue to lead the strategy, planning, production, execution and budget of the California Avocado Commission’s nutrition program.

With about three-quarters of its annual volume already picked and packed, and running a bit behind 2020 numbers, the California strawberry industry is expecting a strong final quarter allowing volume to surpass last year’s total.

Through the week ended Aug. 21, California had sent close to 150 million trays of fruit to market, which represents about a 4.5 percent decline from the previous year. By the end of the third week of 2020, California’s strawberry growers had marketed more than 157 million trays of fruit on the way to a crop that exceeded 200 million trays.