Desert Fresh sees repeat year
Desert Fresh sees repeat year
When he looks at his crop, timing of the harvest and size of the fruit, Tony Bianco of Desert Fresh Inc., based in Coachella, CA, sees a crop very similar to the 2015 season.
“We might be a little bit early (from a traditional start date) but it’s the same as last year,” he said, noting that there may be a new normal with the crop being early now three years in a row.
Driving around the valley and looking at everyone’s grapes, Bianco said they all look “very, very good.” He credits phenomenal growing condition which have brought the right amount of sun, heat, rain and winter dormancy to produce an excellent looking crop. “The crop seems a little bit on the heavy side, but not that much. Let’s call it average to a little above average.”
Like others in the valley, Bianco expected to harvest his first grapes right at the end of April and begin shipping the first week of May. He said Memorial Day falling very late in May (May 30) is good for the marketing of the crop. With the first domestic grapes of the year, Coachella Valley sales almost always get off to a fast start. The late date for the Memorial Day weekend gives the crop a good demand boost at mid-season. The Coachella Valley typically remains in the deal until about the 4th of July. By then average highs in Coachella can easily be in the 110 degree neighborhood, which tends to end the season.
Bianco said the early market is typically influenced by how much of the Chilean grape crop is still hanging around when California gets moving. This year, he said does not appear to be a banner year for fruit from Chile or Mexico so he expects California’s crop will get off to a good start. He said retailers are already looking for it.
For Desert Fresh, Bianco said status quo is the order of the day with no real changes from last year to this one on the sales desk, in acreage or packs.
