California Fruit and Vegetable

Category: Industry News

  • Free CE Course Now Available: Invasive Fruit Flies in California

    The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is offering a new free Continuing Education (CE) course designed specifically for Pest Control Advisers (PCAs) and other industry professionals focused on invasive pest management.

    Titled Invasive Fruit Flies in California, this course provides an in-depth look at the rising pressure of invasive fruit flies (IFF) across the state and the critical role PCAs play in early detection and containment. This course is approved for 1.0 DPR CEUs (Other).

    Participants will:

    •Understand the pest profiles of major IFF species affecting California

    •Learn the triggers that initiate quarantines in the state

    •Explore best practices for supporting growers with timely, science-based recommendations

    •Review the 2023-2025 IFF response strategies

    •Discover innovations shaping the future of pest detection and management

    This complimentary CE course is a valuable resource for PCAs looking to stay informedand proactive in the protection of California’s agricultural economy.

    To learn more, click the button below.

    To enroll, click the button, then go to “Online Learning,” then “Shop” to register at no cost ($0.00).

    CAPCA Course Catalog

    About the California Department of Food and Agriculture

    CDFA has a mission to serve the citizens of California by promoting and protecting a safe, healthy food supply and enhancing local and global agricultural trade.

    About the California Association of Pest Control Advisers

    CAPCA’s purpose is to serve as the leader in the evolution of the pest management industry through the communication of reliable information.

  • California Processing Tomato Crop Size Rises Above Early Expectations

    Contracted production for California processing tomatoes is forecast at 11.0 million tons, averaging 55.0 tons per acre, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The current production forecast is 1 percent below last year’s contracted production of 11.1 million tons, and 7 percent above the May forecast. The projected harvested acreage of tomatoes grown under contract is 200,000 acres, down 10 percent from 2024.

    Mild spring temperatures and adequate water supply provided tomato growers with favorable planting conditions and a good start to the developing crop. Cooler than normal summer temperatures have boosted yields to record high levels.

    The processing tomato harvest began the first week of July and may finish a little later than last year because of the larger than expected crop. However, if contracts are fulfilled and canneries decide not to process more tonnage, some acreage may be left unharvested. To date, tomato quality is reported to be good.

    The Processing Tomato Advisory Board published shipments through August 23, 2025, showing a 6% decrease compared to this time last year. This processing tomato estimate is funded by the California League of Food Producers.

  • California Table Olive Forecast Down from Last Year’s Crop

    The 2025 California table olive forecast is 44,000 tons, down 10% from last year’s crop of 48,634 tons, according to a survey conducted by the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Pacific Regional Office. Bearing acreage is estimated at 12,000, which results in a yield of 3.67 tons per acre. The Manzanillo production forecast is 41,500 tons, Sevillano production forecast is 2,400 tons, and other varieties are expected to total 100 tons.

    Reported crop yields varied by both variety and growing region. Sevillano yields were reported to be lower than Manzanillo and both varieties are expected to have lower yields than last year. Insufficient labor, increasing input costs, and marketing issues continued to be major challenges for California olive growers.

    SURVEY SAMPLE

    There were 242 growers sampled for the survey. Reports from 192 were used to establish this forecast. The sample is designed to provide a State-level estimate of all varieties; estimates by variety are less precise.

    ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

    A special thanks goes to the many olive growers who participated in the survey. Time spent completing the survey is appreciated, and helpful in estimating current condition of the olive industry in California.

    The California Table Olive Forecast is funded by the California Olive Committee.

  • California Avocado Society to Host 110th Annual Meeting

    The California Avocado Society will host its 110th Annual Meeting on Friday, October 3 at the Lloyd-Butler Ranch located in Ventura County.

    The event will include:

    • Educational field presentations by grove managers, researcher and growers
    • Lunch
    • Award presentations
    • Opportunities to learn about innovative products and services

    The day-long event will take place from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The historic Lloyd-Butler ranch is located at 2317 Los Angeles Avenue, Oxnard, CA.

    Registration is now available online.

  • Introducing Ag & Blueberry Trade 101 – A Four-Part Educational Series

    NABC and the USHBC, in partnership with the Ag Trade Education Council, invite you to join the Trade 101 webinar series – a four-part series designed to deepen your understanding of U.S. trade policy and its impact on agriculture, particularly the blueberry industry.

    Each one-hour workshop will advance your knowledge on trade policy history, recent trade developments, and blueberry imports and exports.

    4 Sessions Provide Practical Insights

    Part 1 (Sept. 29): Explore why trade matters to U.S. agriculture and trace the history of trade law and policy from the nation’s founding through 2015.

    Part 2 (Oct. 14): Examine key developments in U.S. trade during the different administrations, with a focus on policy shifts and priorities.

    Part 3 (Nov. 13): Review the latest trade developments of 2025, including tariffs, trade agreements and legal challenges to presidential authority.

    Part 4 (Dec. 9): Take a deep dive into how global trade has changed the U.S. blueberry industry, looking at the history, legal challenges and current landscape of blueberry imports and exports.

    You’ll walk away with a broad understanding of U.S. trade policy over time and practical insights into how trade directly affects the blueberry industry.

    Don’t miss this first-ever series! Register today.

    LEARN MORE & REGISTER

  • New Strategies for Engaging Avocado Shoppers

    Hass Avocado Board — A newly released Hass Avocado Board (HAB) study, Avocado Path-to-Purchase: The Making of a Household Staple, reveals how U.S. shoppers have increasingly embraced avocados over the past decade and what motivates them at each step of the avocado shopping journey. The study highlights the evolving behaviors of today’s avocado shoppers and their pre-store preferences, in-store experiences, and post-store satisfaction. Drawing on nationwide shopper data, the research reveals key shifts in consumer behavior and identifies key insights and opportunities for retailers and merchandisers to drive growth in the avocado category.

    KEY STUDY FINDINGS:

    • Ripeness and Visual Appeal: Shoppers rely on visual cues and firmness, but many lack the ability to identify ripeness.
    • Buyer Profiles: Heavier buyers plan their purchases and use avocados throughout the week. In contrast, lighter buyers are more easily swayed by compelling in-store displays and promotions.
    • Format Preferences: Bulk avocados continue to lead, but the preference for bagged avocados has grown, giving rise to shoppers who purchase both types.
    • Impulse & Satisfaction: While many plan their avocado purchases, high-quality displays and freshness often inspire additional, unplanned sales, especially when shoppers have had positive experiences at home.
    • Execution Matters: Freshness, attractive displays, and clear signage that help shoppers identify ripeness cues can make it easier to convert shoppers into avocado purchases.

    Read the Path to Purchase Study HERE.

    INSIGHTS INTO ACTION:

    To accompany this study, HAB has also released an on-demand webinar that delves deeper into the key drivers and barriers influencing shopper decisions, outlining actionable strategies to engage shoppers and grow category sales. View webinar HERE.

  • U.S. Blueberries ‘Go Big’ on Domestic & Global Marketing, California Hit a Sweet Spot This Year

    According to Kasey Cronquist, President of the North American Blueberry Council and the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, California blueberry growers hit a sweet spot on the market this year and had a successful harvest season. Meanwhile, the two councils “Go Big” on their latest marketing efforts, determined to position blueberries as the world’s favorite fruit. Watch Cronquist’s brief interview with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network and learn more in California Fruit & Vegetable Magazine.

  • Global Demand Rises for California Figs, Met with Ideal Growing Conditions

    California fig growers have experienced delayed, yet ideal growing conditions this year.  Karla Stockli CEO of the California Fresh Fig Growers Association and California Fig Advisory Board met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network in August to share an outlook for the 2025 crop and some exciting new global market opportunities for both fresh and dried California figs. Watch this brief interview and read more in California Fruit & Vegetable Magazine.

  • Nation’s Largest Fig Grower Embraces Exciting New Variety

    There is a new fig variety finally being commercially harvested this year in California. Exclusively grown (for the time being) by the nation’s largest fig grower, The Specialty Crop Company, multi-generational Central Valley farmer Erik Herman met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network in August to talk about the performance of the new variety and share some insights on this year’s fig crop and how it’s expected to be received in the market. Watch this brief interview and read more in California Fruit & Vegetable Magazine.

  • Widespread Rat Infestation in Orchards & Vineyards, CAPCA on Tools & Resources Moving Ahead

    As if California growers and PCAs didn’t have enough on their plates with rising input costs compounded by the most restrictive laws & regulations in the nation, they’ve been further challenged with an unusual pest problem this year — rats! An  increasing number of abandoned orchards and vineyards due to poor economic circumstances has caused a feeding frenzy for some uninvited rodent guests, whose numbers have been multiplying at unprecedented levels. Ruthann Anderson, President/CEO of the California Association of Pest Control Advisers (CAPCA), met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to explain this issue and what they are doing to help provide the tools and resources growers and PCAs to combat this emergency situation, beginning with an anonymous survey they can fill out HERE. Watch this brief video to learn more.