The coming 2013 California apricot crop looks good “up and down the state,” according to Jim Lucich, a salesman at Blossom Hill Packing-Lucich Santos Farms in Patterson, CA. “There should be promotable volumes, and eating quality looks good.”

Helping to assure good eating quality is the fact that “there are so many new varieties out now that are going to continue to enhance the consumers’ eating experience,” he said. “We are excited about getting a good eating experience to the consumers early in the deal, where they can eat something that will bring them back to the store to buy more.”

While Mr. Lucich did not elaborate on specific varieties, he did say that the newer plantings at Blossom Hill are “newer varieties that are eating good,” and that they are largely replacing “older varieties that maybe didn’t eat as well.”

The company’s website lists the following apricot varieties, from earliest to latest: Apache, Poppy, Jordan, Earli Cot, Tri Gem, Robada, Gold Bar and Patterson, with harvest dates running from early May through the first week in July.

Blossom Hill grows both conventional and organic apricots.

“The Blossom Hill orchards are located in Patterson, which is considered to be the world’s best Apricot-growing grounds,” according to the website. “Lucich Santos Farms has been family owned for more than 90 years, with over 35 years growing and shipping apricots. The combined location and experience produces a sweet and juicy fruit that you have to taste to believe.”

“Our history is four generations deep, starting with my great grandfather Louis Lucich, who farmed cots and prunes in Santa Clara,” Mr. Lucich said.

Current owners are Pete Lucich and Dave Santos.

The company has specialized in apricots for the past 35 years and continues with practices that have made the company successful, including picking, packing, cooling and shipping the fruit on the same day, while staying current with new developments in the market and in the industry.