California Fruit and Vegetable

Tag: California Fresh Fruit Magazine

  • Merry Christmas from the Malcolm Family

    To our friends in agricultural, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and share our appreciation for you and the reason for the season with this song, from our family to yours! For more fun & inspiring music, visit our new YouTube Channel Malcolm Family Music.

  • Root Bacteria Could Help Defeat Fatal Citrus Disease

    A UC Riverside-led team is looking at tiny underground microorganisms for a way to prevent a huge problem — Huanglongbing, a disease with no cure that has decimated citrus orchards worldwide.

    The disease, also known as HLB or citrus greening, has multiple names but the same ultimate result: bitter and worthless citrus fruits. By some estimates, the end of citrus orchards in California and Florida could amount to $14 billion in lost commercial revenue.

    Fruit affected by Huanglongbing. (UCR)

    “Often times, it is thought of as an above-ground disease of the fruits, leaves, and stems,” said Caroline Roper, plant pathology professor and director of the new research effort. “However, we have seen the roots of trees decline with infection, and we want to understand why.”

    The National Institute of Food and Agriculture has awarded the UCR-led team $10 million over the next five years to investigate the role of soil and root microbes in the disease.

    Roper said data from previous studies shows the microbiome of the infected tree — which includes bacteria and fungi as well as protozoa and viruses — plays a role in the disease.

    “We have seen a shift in the root microbiome as trees get sicker,” she said.

    The microbiomes shift to contain more potentially parasitic organisms that may act as secondary invaders to a tree that is suffering from HLB, according to Roper. The invasion of these root pathogens may be causing trees to die faster when they have HLB.

    Part of this new research effort will test whether soil amendments like manure and compost might suppress parasitic microorganisms in the roots as well as the soil, and give the trees more strength to combat diseases including HLB.

    In addition, the research team will try to determine the molecular basis of HLB resistance shown by citrus root stocks developed in Florida. They’ll then see how those rootstocks perform in California, which has different soil and climate conditions.

    The research team will examine both younger trees, because a lot of citrus growers have had to re-plant their orchards after infection, as well as older trees to see if mature groves can recover.

    It will also be important to note how well root stocks from Florida, where there has been a heavy infestation of HLB, perform in California, where much less of the disease has been detected.

    “One of the great things about this grant is that we’re able to leverage existing field trials being done by our collaborators in Florida and at the UC’s Lindcove Research and Extension Center in central California,” Roper said. “This may lead to faster results than we’d otherwise have had.”

    Collaborators on the project include UC Davis; California State University, Sacramento; the University of Florida; and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service in Ft. Pierce, Florida. — By Jules Bernstein, UC Riverside

  • U.S. Blueberry Growers Form New Alliance to Seek Import Remedies

    Blueberry growers across America today established a new coalition, the American Blueberry Growers Alliance, to seek relief from rising imports that are harming their businesses. The Alliance will provide information and support to an ongoing U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) investigation into the serious injury caused by increased imports of fresh, chilled and frozen blueberries under Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974.

    Blueberry imports are sourced from several countries in the Western Hemisphere. Imports rose by more than 60 percent between 2015 and 2019. Imports from Peru and Mexico have increased by 1,258 and 268 percent during that same period, respectively, driving blueberry prices down by double digits, which has had a devastating impact on the domestic blueberry industry.

    Alliance members are asking for bipartisan support from the U.S. government and Congress to use existing trade laws to remedy the injury to U.S. growers, support hard-working blueberry farmers, and preserve and enhance a U.S.-grown blueberry supply. The Alliance is also warning that in addition to injuring domestic businesses and livelihoods, rising imports expose American consumers to products from countries with poor food safety protocols.

    “We have been telling Washington about unfair trade practices for years,” said Jerome Crosby, CEO of Pineneedle Farms in Georgia and head of the Alliance’s steering committee. “Our family farms continue to be harmed by a flood of blueberry imports. We need relief and for our leaders to stand with American growers.”

    “Many family farms have become a casualty of rising imports and are being forced out of commercial production as other countries increase production to deliberately target the U.S. market,” said Brittany Lee, executive director of the Florida Blueberry Growers Association. “If something is not done, we will lose the blueberry industry in the United States.”

    The Alliance includes blueberry growers in Georgia, Florida, Michigan and California.

    The Alliance recently received support from a coalition of 32 members of the U.S. House of Representatives. In a letter to the U.S. International Trade Commission, the congressional members said: “The significant surge of imports of blueberries in recent years, the timing of such imports during U.S. harvest periods, the extremely low pricing of the imports, and the targeting of the U.S. blueberry market by foreign exporters has had a devastating impact on the blueberry industry…As the Commission develops the evidentiary record in this case, it will be clear that imports are a substantial cause of serious injury to farmers. We urge the Commission to promptly make an affirmative determination in this regard.”

    The ITC plans to hold hearings in early 2021 and then deliver a report on blueberry injury and remedies to the White House. Under Section 203, the President then determines what action to take. To support this investigation, Alliance members are providing data and evidence on how blueberry imports are impacting their production, pricing and marketing activities, especially during the critical U.S. spring and summer harvesting seasons.

    For more information, please visit americanblueberrygrowers.com.

  • 2021 CA Avocado Crop Estimate & Harvest Projections

    The California Avocado Commission has published the 2021 California Avocado Pre-Season Crop Estimate and weekly harvest projections for the calendar year (January 1st through December 31st). The estimate and projections are the result of handler surveys submitted in early December 2020 and represent the industry’s best information on the coming season’s crop at this time.

    Further details of the estimate and harvest projections can be found online and includes the following information:

    • Pre-season industry volume estimates, broken down by variety, based on AMRIC Handler survey responses
    • Weekly harvest forecast utilizing AMRIC Handler Survey percentages for Hass variety (4-year historical forecast used for Lamb, 2-year historical used for Gem and other)
    • Weekly harvest forecast comparison of 4-year historical forecast versus AMRIC Handler Survey

    The Commission staff will remain in contact with growers, handlers and grove managers throughout the season, via surveys and telephone conversations, to track harvest strategy and will provide updated forecasts to the industry as they become available. As we have done in the past, CAC will plan to follow up with the handlers in February to discuss crop volume and harvest plans before the season gets underway.

    In addition to handler surveys and discussions, the annual grower crop survey and acreage inventory survey will be conducted in Spring 2021, with a mid-season crop estimate update available mid-May 2021.

  • $6.3 Million to Help UC Riverside Save Avocado Orchards

    New grants totaling $6.3 million will help UC Riverside solve problems facing American avocado orchards, including a lethal fungal disease called Laurel Wilt.

    Laurel Wilt can destroy an entire avocado orchard in a couple of weeks once symptoms develop. It is already present in Florida. Without effective treatments, it will inevitably spread to California, which is the nation’s leading producer of avocados.

    Laurel Wilt is caused by a fungus, Raffaelea lauricola, that the non-native redbay ambrosia beetle introduces in trees of the Laurel family, which includes avocado.

    The non-native redbay ambrosia beetle, which carries the fungus causing deadly Laurel Wilt. (UCR)

    “When the beetle attacks, the fungus enters and colonizes the tree’s vascular system, and within weeks, the tree wilts and dies if not managed properly,” said Patricia Manosalva, director of this project as well as UCR’s Avocado Rootstock Breeding Program.

    In addition to Laurel Wilt, avocado growers face numerous production challenges including devastating diseases such as Phytophthora root rot, or, PRR, and soil salinity, which in combination cause severe reduction in fruit yield and quality. This combination can also completely destroy avocado orchards.

    Avocado roots darkened and killed by Phytophthora root rot. (David Rosen/UCR)

    Avocado is also highly sensitive to salinity. Increasing levels of salinity in water and soil due to drought and the use of reclaimed water for crop irrigation purposes threatens avocado production worldwide.

    To combat the threats, the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture Specialty Crop Research Initiative has awarded UC Riverside $4.4 million. The grant will enable the development of next-generation technological solutions to these problems over the next four years in partnership with scientists at the universities of Hawaii, Florida, Texas, and Milan.

    The same grant will enable research on both short- and long-term solutions for managing avocado PRR, the major hindrance for avocado production worldwide, Manosalva said.

    “Under this grant we will select rootstocks harboring resistance to the current pathogen population and we will register new fungicides with different modes of actions to reduce avocado losses to this destructive oomycete pathogen,” Manosalva said.

    The UCR rootstock breeding program has already identified advanced rootstock lines that are tolerant to salinity and P. cinnamomi, the pathogen that causes PRR. These rootstocks may also confer resistance or tolerance to Laurel Wilt when grafted with different varieties. Field trials of these rootstocks will be conducted in California, Florida, Texas, Hawaii and Puerto Rico and will be screened for resistance at University of Florida.

    Another approach to mitigating avocado threats will be the further development of remote field sensors that can detect and differentiate drought from high salinity and Phytophthora root rot. UCR initially developed prototypes of these sensors and tested them in greenhouses. This grant will enable researchers to improve the sensors and test them in fields.

    Manosalva notes that UC Riverside is unique in having a highly recognized avocado breeding program first developed 70 years ago.

    “We’ve been developing agricultural science for a long time,” she said. “This grant will allow us to keep moving the UCR rootstock breeding program forward and continue developing hearty avocado rootstocks.”

    Through the Office of Technology Partnerships, UCR currently has three rootstocks available for licensing in the U.S. and may have up to five new rootstocks available in the next few years. The new rootstocks could provide increased tolerance to diseases, drought, heat, and soil salinity.

    In a related grant, the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative awarded $1.9 million to a team of 15 scientists from five universities and the USDA Agricultural Research Service, or USDA-ARS. The grant will allow the researchers to study whether essential oils can help suppress certain pathogens and pests.

    Researchers from the University of Florida, Clemson University, the University of Georgia, the University of Hawaii at Manoa and the USDA-ARS as well as UC Riverside will collaborate on the project.

    Producers of essential oils claim their products may be able to treat plant pathogens such as gray mold, powdery mildew, algal stem blotch and brown rot as well as insects including mites, thrips and scales. This grant will enable the team to evaluate those claims.

    Manosalva said both grants underscore the importance of funding basic research in agricultural science. “California’s produce feeds the nation, and the world,” she said. “Our science will help feed people and empower growers everywhere.” — By Jules Bernstein, UC Riverside

    About UC Riverside

    The University of California, Riverside (www.ucr.edu) is a doctoral research university, a living laboratory for groundbreaking exploration of issues critical to Inland Southern California, the state and communities around the world. Reflecting California’s diverse culture, UCR’s enrollment is more than 24,000 students. The campus opened a medical school in 2013 and has reached the heart of the Coachella Valley by way of the UCR Palm Desert Center. The campus has an annual statewide economic impact of almost $2 billion. To learn more, email news@ucr.edu.

  • Fire Blight in Pear: Getting to the Root of the Matter

    Pear producers are turning to science in order to take a bigger bite out of the fruit market. U.S. pear production is only about one-seventh that of apple production. Reasons for this shortfall include relatively limited areas with a favorable growing climate; the large size of pear trees; and susceptibility to storm damage, climate change, and disease – particularly fire blight. These conditions caused pear producers in Washington State to lose nearly 70,000 tons of their crop last year alone (not to mention the major losses in California as well).

    According to Nahla Bassil, plant geneticist, and Joseph Postman, pear curator, at the Agricultural Research Service’s (ARS) National Clonal Germplasm Repository (NCGR) in Corvallis, OR, developing superior new rootstocks is the number one research priority of the U.S. pear industry. Their research team includes postdoc Jason Zurn and crop manager Barbara Gilmore. Bassil’s research focuses on developing DNA markers that enable diagnosing host-plant resistance to the fire blight pathogen in breeding material, resulting in new cultivars that are resistant to the most devastating disease of pears worldwide.

    Overview of the interstem plot of young pear trees in 2019 (Photo by Joseph Postman)

    While there are numerous root systems, called rootstocks, available for apples that can produce trees ranging in size from super-dwarf to super-vigorous, very few rootstock options are available for pears, Bassil said. Currently, pear trees grown on vigorous rootstocks are large, must be planted far apart, and can take 5 years to come into production. In addition, large trees are more dangerous and time-consuming to prune and harvest, larger amounts of pesticides are needed to control pests, and pesticide coverage is less efficient compared to low-growing compact trees.

    Commercial apple producers primarily plant highly productive dwarf trees that are grafted onto specially designed rootstocks, developed by ARS scientists. Now, pear growers are looking to solve their production problems through genetic solutions.

    A few dwarfing rootstocks are available for pears, but they all have problems, ranging from susceptibility to disease to longer production times. That’s where the NCGR’s research comes in.

    “The USDA world pear collection in Corvallis contains many species and varieties that are potentially better rootstocks or have unique genetic characteristics that are not found in commonly grown varieties,” Bassil said. “Genetic solutions for production problems are economical and efficient in the long run, but there are challenges to identifying new genetic materials with the needed traits.”

    Postman’s search for a productive pear rootstock has taken him one step beyond the techniques used by his ARS colleagues who studied apples. Rather than grow a new pear tree by grafting the desired fruit tree atop a rootstock, as apple tree nurseries do, Postman uses a double-graft system.

    Interstem pear grafts in pots (Photo by Joseph Postman)

    “Pears do not root easily from cuttings,” he said. “We are using ‘interstems’ of potential rootstock varieties to overcome this difficulty.” An interstem is grafted onto a seedling rootstock, then a shoot of an edible cultivar is grafted onto the interstem. “We are hoping that an interstem piece will have the same dwarfing effect as commercial apple trees that are grafted onto dwarfing rootstocks.”

    As part of the RosBREED project, USDA scientists in Corvallis also identified natural resistance to fire blight that combined disease resistance with horticultural quality. “New genetic markers are being developed to identify and eliminate susceptible seedlings from a breeding program,” Bassil said. “These genetic markers can also select better parents, thus increasing the number of resistant seedlings in the next generation. This will save time, space, and dollars.” – by Scott Elliott, ARS Office of Communications.

  • US Continues to Dominate Canadian Market for Fresh Apples, Pears & Table Grapes

    The United States will remain the largest exporter of fresh apples, pears, and table grapes to the Canadian market in marketing year (MY) 2020/21. FAS/Ottawa forecasts a five percent growth in Canadian apple production for MY 2020/21 with fewer weather-related challenges. A reduction in the marketed production of Canadian pears and table grapes is anticipated as a result of weather and COVID-19 labor challenges during harvest; forecast down seven percent for pears and 13 percent for table grapes. Canadian exports of fresh apples will grow slightly in MY 2020/21. The United States will remain the main market for Canada’s apple exports.

    Executive Summary:

    –  In MY 2020/21 Canadian imports of fresh apples will see a decline while exports will grow modestly compared to MY 2019/20. The United States will remain as Canada’s main trading partner.

    –  FAS/Ottawa forecasts growth in Canadian apple production as a result of improved weather conditions predominately in Ontario and Quebec.

    –  Pear production for MY 2020/21 is forecast to decline as a result of drought in Ontario and labor issues impacting harvest in British Columbia.

    –  Canadian imports of fresh pears will see modest growth in MY 2020/21 as a result of a reduced domestic crop. U.S. pears will remain as the highest market share but will continue to face competition from Argentina, China, and South Africa.

    –  FAS/Ottawa forecast a decline in Canadian table grape production for MY 2020/21 primarily as a result of summer drought conditions in Ontario growing regions.

    –  Imports of fresh table grapes with increase slightly as a result of the reduced Canadian crop. Consumer interest in organic grapes will continue to be supported.

    APPLES

    NOTE: “NEW FAS/Ottawa” data reflect FAS/Ottawa’s assessments and are NOT official USDA data

    Production:

    FAS/Ottawa forecasts five percent growth in Canadian apple production in marketing year (MY) 2020/21 despite some production challenges. Over 90 percent of Canadian apple production is concentrated in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. While weather presented many challenges for the Eastern Canada crop in 2019/20, conditions were more favorable for the 2020/21 crop. Despite dry conditions during the summer, moisture was reportedly received in time to produce a good quality crop for size and color in Ontario. Quebec is also reporting a strong crop. In British Columbia, hail damage in the spring impacted crop quality and smoke from wild fires along the west coast of the United States affected coloration of some varieties. The Maritime Provinces experienced drought through the summer, which is believed to have reduced apple production. However, despite these challenges, early estimates indicate an overall larger apple crop in MY 2020/21 compared to last year. Honeycrisp acres are forecast to see higher production in MY 2020/21 compared to 2019/20.

    FAS/Ottawa forecasts a slight gain in cultivated acreage, in 2020/21, compared to 2019/20, as more Honeycrisp, Gala, and other premium varieties are planted. Bearing acreage will also increase as previously planted acreage matures into fruit production. However, these gains are expected to be offset by continued reduction in McIntosh acreage. Planted acreage suffered a 3.5 percent drop in 2019/20 according to Statistics Canada. In addition to the shift to production of premium varieties, producers are moving to higher density plantings for production efficiency.

    Canadian apple growers have experienced labor challenges related to COVID-19. Spring orchard maintenance, such as thinning and pruning, was affected as fewer temporary foreign workers (TFW) entered Canada due to Canadian travel restrictions implemented in mid-March. At the urging of industry, government eventually designated TFW as essential, though they still had to observe a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival in country. TFW admitted under Canada’s Seasonal

    Agricultural Worker Program can transfer between employers provided appropriate approvals are received; this likely mitigated labor shortfalls in some locations. Recruitment of Canadian workers to fill the gaps met with only limited success. The worker shortage persisted into harvest time, which may have negatively impacted actual crop size despite strong production estimates. This issue is reportedly most significant in British Columbia, which has struggled with low TFW arrival numbers throughout 2020.

    Certain growing regions are better suited to specific apple varieties. British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and Ontario have a greater variety diversification owing to the climactic conditions in the Okanagan, Annapolis Valley, and Niagara growing regions, respectively. Quebec growers typically embrace more durable and resilient varieties due to colder growing conditions. Changes to variety acreage and production will continue to vary by province. The general trend points to increases in Ambrosia, Gala, and Honeycrisp.

    Consumption:

    Approximately 70 percent of apples grown in Canada go to fresh consumption. FAS/Ottawa forecasts growth in both fresh and processing apples for MY 2020/21 on an overall larger crop. Fresh demand will be strong as consumers seek a cost competitive fruit with a longer storage duration. As a result of COVID-19 consumers appear to have shifted their purchasing habits, reducing their perceived COVID- 19 risk by limiting themselves to fewer grocery store visits but spending more per visit. In the spring, retailers shifted from bulk displays of apples to consumer pre-packaged in response to changing consumer purchase patterns and hygiene concerns within the retail environment. Indications are that bulk displays and local apples features will resume this fall despite rising COVID-19 cases in Canada. Food service was also impacted as provinces and regions implemented restrictions on restaurant

    Pecent Total Production

    activities. Apples have been less susceptible to food service disruptions than other commodities. With restrictions on gatherings and food service businesses, demand for desserts such as pies has been reduced and there has been a negative impact to processing apples that go into desserts. Despite this, FAS/Ottawa forecasts processing numbers will increase because of an abundance of lower quality apples harvested in British Columbia and the Maritimes subsequent to the adverse weather conditions in those provinces.

    Per capita consumption of fresh apples is forecast to remain static in MY 2020/21. However, due to a growing Canadian population the overall quantity of apples consumed fresh will increase in Canada in MY 2020/21. Apples face increasing competition with other fresh fruit products on the market but will continue to be a popular snack given their convenience. Their longer duration storage life and cost- competitiveness with other fruits will also support consumption as consumers look for stability and savings in the face of COVID-19-related uncertainties expected to remain for some time to come.

    Trade:

    FAS/Ottawa forecasts a one percent decline of imports of fresh apples into Canada for MY 2020/21. An increased Canadian apple crop and reduced processing demand due to COVID-19, will generate lower demand for imports. The United States will remain the dominant supplier of apples to Canada. The U.S. market share increased to 84 percent in MY 2019/20 following a decline in MY 2018/19 owing to increased imports from Chile and the EU and a smaller U.S. apple crop. Market share was regained in MY 2019/20 due to a larger U.S. crop and a reduced EU crop. Reduced crop expectations for the U.S. and EU crops in MY 2020/21 will also support a decrease in Canadian import volumes.

    Despite a smaller 2019/20 crop, Canadian fresh storage volumes were up 29 percent in June 2020 compared to June 2019. With ample supplies remaining until the 2020/21 crop begins to be marketed, reductions in imports have already been witnessed in MY 2020/21. However, support will remain for imports of U.S. fresh apples to supplement Canadian fresh demand. The majority of U.S. apples are imported into Canada from Washington State followed by New York. Canada is the top market by value for fresh apple exports from both states.

    Imports of organic apples have increased steadily year-over-year since MY 2015/16. Consumer surveys have shown that Millennial Canadians, currently the largest generational cohort in Canada, are driving growth in organic purchasing. Generation Z (post-millennials) also are contributing and are expected to further contribute as their cohort continues to age into the workforce. However, it appears likely that the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic will constrain this preference for organic products, which tend to be higher priced, in MY 2020/21.

    Approximately 10 percent of fresh apple production in Canada is exported depending on the Canadian apple crop size. FAS/Ottawa forecasts that exports will grow 10 percent in MY 2020/21 as a result of the increase in the Canadian apple crop. However, outyear exports will remain below the five-year average due to decreased processing demand and COVID-19 disruptions. The United States was, as usual, the top market for Canadian fresh apple exports in MY 2019/20 and will remain as such in MY 2020/21. Canadian apple exporters may also look to continue expansion into CPTPP markets as tariffs under the trade agreement have become more favorable (see Policy section). With a smaller EU crop there is likely to be supply gaps in these markets.

    PEARS

    NOTE: “NEW FAS/Ottawa” data reflect FAS/Ottawa’s assessments and are NOT official USDA data 

    Production:

    FAS/Ottawa forecasts a seven percent decline in fresh pear production for MY 2020/21. Marketed production is projected to be less than the five-year average due to harvest challenges in British Columbia combined with reduced labor availability and drought conditions in Ontario. Area planted is expected to remain static in MY 2020/21 while area harvested will decline two percent as a result of labor and weather issues.

    Ontario and British Columbia account for over 90 percent of the Canadian pear crop and these two provinces will continue to dominate domestic production. British Columbia experienced a favorable growing season for MY 2020/21 and though smoke from west coast fires did cause some harvest delays the smoke is not expected to impact fruit quality. British Columbia also struggled with obtaining sufficient numbers of workers for the MY 2020/21 harvest as a result of COVID-19. The available local workforce is limited and growers typically rely on workers from other regions of Canada, such as Quebec, as well as international and temporary foreign workers. COVID-19 restrictions, travel disruptions, and government support programs viewed by some as a disincentive to work have constrained the availability of both domestic and foreign workers. As a result, not all fruit is expected to be harvested, which will reduce marketed production. While Ontario has also seen reductions in the number of foreign workers arriving in MY 2020/21, the pear crop declined primarily due to dry summer weather conditions. Pear production industry estimates indicate that production will be 20 percent or more below MY 2019/20 in some regions. Bartlett and Bosc varieties will continue to dominant Canadian pear acreage but producers are exploring new varieties. In British Columbia, Bosc acreage is reportedly increasing while Bartlett and Anjou acreage has been in decline due to shifts in consumer preference and poorer returns. Anjou is not well suited to the Ontario growing climate, where Bartlett and Bosc dominate production and acreage.

    Consumption:

    Fresh consumption is expected to experience minimal growth in MY 2020/21 due to lower production. Canadian per capita consumption of fresh pears has been on a declining trend since 2013 as pears face increased competition from other fruits.

    Fresh consumption accounts for over 80 percent of the pear market in Canada. There are a limited number of processors and with a smaller 2020/21 crop, processing will remain static on MY 2019/20.

    Trade:

    FAS/Ottawa forecasts a three percent growth in fresh pear imports for MY 2020/21 although imports will remain below the five-year average. Increased imports will offset the reduction in Canadian production for MY 2020/21. However, competition from other fruit varieties is expected to limit expansion of pear imports. The United States will continue to supply around 50 percent of total Canadian imports of fresh pears.

    Imports of organic fresh pears continue to be between four and five percent of total pear imports. FAS/Ottawa forecasts that Canadian demand for organic fresh pears will remain constant for MY 2020/21.

    Canadian exports of fresh pears are negligible in comparison to fresh pear production and imports. Canadian MY 2019/20 pear exports jumped 25 percent over 2018/19 levels, yet were still only four percent of domestic production. While growers may continue efforts to expand export opportunities to higher value markets in MY 2020/21, FAS/Ottawa anticipates pear export volumes will remain below one percent of import volumes.

    FRESH TABLE GRAPES

    NOTE: “NEW FAS/Ottawa” data reflect FAS/Ottawa’s assessments and are NOT official USDA data

    Production:

    FAS/Ottawa forecasts a 13 percent decline in table grape production for MY 2020/21. Fresh production will be 10 percent below the five-year average. Drought conditions in Ontario, coupled with labor challenges in British Columbia, will see the crop reduced by over 20 percent in some regions according to industry estimates, as well as a reduction in marketed production. Acreage is forecast to remain stable although fruit bearing acreage will be reduced.

    Ontario will continue to be the main province for Canadian table grape production, accounting for over three-quarters of Canadian production. British Columbia is the second largest producing province accounting for over 20 percent of production. Though Ontario table grape production is mostly limited to the Sovereign Coronation variety, Ontario growers and researchers are exploring new varieties in response to changing consumer demands. While drought will negatively impact Ontario production volumes for MY 2020/21, British Columbia experienced more favorable growing conditions. However, COVID-19 has impacted the labor pool in British Columbia with fewer foreign workers arriving in the province and fewer domestic workers travelling from Eastern Canada to work during harvest.

    Additionally, smoke from fires on the West Coast caused harvest activity delays. Crop quality is not expected to be negatively impacted. Due to these challenges, marketed production volumes will be less than total production volumes.

    Compared to wine grapes, table grape acreage and production is nominal in Canada and acreage is unlikely to see a significant increase in the short-term.

    Consumption:

    FAS/Ottawa forecasts very limited growth in fresh table grape consumption for MY 2020/21 supported by increased imports. Per capita table grape consumption will remain static compared to MY 2019/20. Canadian consumption of fresh table grapes has been relatively stable since 2011.

    Trade:

    FAS/Ottawa forecasts imports of fresh grapes to grow slightly in MY 2020/21 in order to supplement the reduced domestic crop. Given the limited production of table grapes in Canada, consumer demand is primarily met through imports. The United States typically supplies over 50 percent of Canadian imports. The United States will remain the dominant supplier with competition from South Africa. Imports from Mexico are forecast lower for MY 2020/21 as a result of a smaller Mexican crop. Demand for fresh table grapes is not anticipated to be significantly impacted by COVID-19 although transport logistics from overseas markets may impact volumes.

    Imports of organic fresh table grapes have experienced steady volumetric growth since MY 2016/17. In MY 2019/20, organic grape import volumes increased 48 percent year-over-year, though organic still only comprises five percent of total imports. Similar to apples, younger consumers are driving the demand for organic products. FAS/Ottawa forecasts that imports of organic grapes will continue to see

    some growth in MY 2020/21 but economic challenges related to COVID-19 will mitigate some demand. The United States is the main supplier of organic grapes to Canada but in MY 2019/20 did see a reduction in market share as a result of increased imports from Mexico and South Africa.

    Canadian exports of fresh table grapes are extremely minimal though Canada does import some fresh table grapes which are then re-exported. These re-exports account for all of Canada’s exports of fresh table grapes according to sources. The majority of Canadian grape production is of wine varieties with limited table grape production. The lack of production and strong Canadian domestic demand limits any fresh table grape exports.

    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

    Prices

    Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) monitors fresh apple, pear and grape prices in the major Canadian wholesale markets. Any daily and weekly market wholesale prices are made available electronically at the AAFC InfoHort website.

    Retailer Fees

    In July 2020, Walmart Canada announced that it would be implementing fees on suppliers as part of a cost-offsetting measure for CAD 3.5 billion in upgrades that the company will undertake. The fee structure involves a 1.25 percent infrastructure development fee to suppliers for its retail stores and 5 percent for products sold on its e-commerce site. In October 2020, Canada’s largest grocery retailer, Loblaw Companies Ltd., also announced that it would be implementing extra fees for certain suppliers to offset the cost of upgrades it will be undertaking. Loblaws indicated that suppliers received different fee structures and that smaller suppliers would have an exemption; more specific details have not yet been made public. In response to the Walmart announcement, another major Canadian grocery retailer, United Grocers Inc., informed suppliers that while it is not implementing supplier fees that it would expect equal treatment if cost reductions are given to competitors. Several Canadian food industry associations have expressed strong opposition to these announcements indicating that this will further erode profits in thin margin businesses at a time when they are already facing additional costs due to COVID-19. Further, they anticipate that this will stifle businesses ability to invest in improving their infrastructure and innovating.

    Policy:

    Safe Food for Canadians Regulations

    Many provisions of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) were implemented in January 2019 with some elements scheduled to be phased in through 2021. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency contains more information on these regulations. Lot code provisions were scheduled to come into force January 15, 2020 for fresh fruits and vegetables. While traceability requirements must be met, industry has been given until January 15, 2021 to use remaining packaging and to update packaging labels to meet lot code requirements.

    Single Use Plastics Ban

    In October 2020, the Government of Canada announced proposed regulatory changes as part of a broader initiative aiming towards achieving a zero plastic waste strategy by 2030. Under this proposal 6 single-use plastic products (listed below) were identified as highly problematic and are proposed to be banned. The public consultation runs until December 2020 with a final decision expected in 2021. At this time, consumer pre-packaged produce for retail does not appear to be targeted.

    –  plastic checkout bags

    –  stir sticks

    –  6-pack rings

    –  cutlery

    –  straws

    –  food service ware made from problematic/hard-to-recycle plastics

    Surplus Food Rescue Program

    In June 2020, the Government of Canada announced a CAD 50 million Surplus Food Rescue Program. The initiative was designed to provide funding to help re-distribute food displaced by COVID-19 disruptions in processing and food service to vulnerable Canadians at the cost of production. To date, FAS/Ottawa is not aware that apples, pears, or table grapes have been involved in this program.

    CPTPP

    Canada was one of the first six countries to ratify the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). CPTPP entered into force for Canada, Australia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, and Singapore on December 30, 2018. Vietnam entered CPTPP into force on January 14, 2019. The first six countries saw the first tariff reductions occur upon CPTPP implementation. Five of the original six countries applied the year 2 tariff reductions on January 1, 2019. Moving forward, further tariff reductions will continue to occur on January 1 of each year until the step-down process is complete. Japan is the exception, where the second tariff reduction occurred on April 1, 2019 with step- downs occurring on April 1 for subsequent years. Despite not being in the original six ratifying countries, Vietnam and Canada agreed to recognize both tariff reductions when CPTPP entered into force for Vietnam. Tariff reductions and eventual eliminations on apples will be most impactful for Canada. Canada will see tariffs on fresh apple exports to Japan reduce from the MFN rate of 17 percent to elimination of tariffs after 2029; currently 12.7 percent reducing to 11.4 percent in 2021. For Vietnam, the MFN tariff of 10 percent on fresh apples will be phased out under CPTPP by 2021; currently 5 percent for 2020. Canada already has tariff-free access for fresh apples to Mexico under NAFTA.

    USMCA

    On November 30, 2018 the United States, Canada, and Mexico signed the new United States-Mexico- Canada Agreement. This agreement updates the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and came into force on July 1, 2020.

    Promotion and Research Agency

    The Canadian apple industry has been discussing the idea of establishing a national marketing agency to promote the consumption of apples and conduct various research projects for several years. This discussion is still occurring although no formal proposals have been put forth at this time. Such an agency would collect levies on both the domestic production and on imports of apples to fund its activities. — By Alexandrea Watters, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service

  • 2020 CA Avocado Acreage & Condition Report

    To ensure the California Avocado Commission can make informed marketing and budgeting decisions, it has partnered with LandIQ to conduct statewide spatial land use surveys via digital satellite imagery, aerial photography and analytical tools. This data is compiled in a comprehensive land use database and an annual summary is prepared. The 2020 Statewide Avocado Acreage and Conditional Analysis is now available online.

    Highlights from this year’s survey are as follows:

    • Planted avocado acreage in the state totaled 54,017
    • The planted avocado acreage for avocado growing counties is as follows:
      • Riverside — 5,046
      • Santa Barbara — 6,741
      • San Diego — 16,488
      • San Luis Obispo — 4,043
      • Ventura — 19,754
      • Minor county total (Fresno, Kern, Los Angeles, Monterey, Orange, San Bernardino, Tulare) — 1,945
    • As concerns the growing regions, their acreage is divided as follows:
    • The report also has tables detailing acreage by zip code, new acres by county and planting year, a breakdown of avocado acreage by planting density (high density versus standard), the net change in producing/young/stumped acreage by county, and various maps noting the acreages of avocados planted.
    • The age of planted acreage breaks down as follows:
      • Planting to 4 years — 4,417 acres (8%)
      • 5 – 8 years — 9,289 acres (17%)
      • 9 – 15 years — 7,717 acres (14%)
      • 16 – 20 years — 8,989 acres (17%)
      • 21 years + — 23,604 acres (44%)

  • CA Avocado Commission Reduces Assessment Rate & Elects New Leaders

    At the October 7, 2020 meeting, the California Avocado Commission Board of Directors took action to approve the assessment rate for the upcoming 2020-21 fiscal year, reducing the assessment rate to 1.75% of the gross dollar value of fruit sold. The new assessment rate is effective from November 1, 2020 through October 31, 2021. The CAC Board and management are committed to prudently managing growers’ assessment dollars, with the current rate reflecting a quarter percent reduction from the 2019-20 assessment rate of 2.00% and more than one-half a percent reduction from the 2018-19 assessment rate of 2.30%. During these past two years, despite the reduction in assessment rate, a larger percentage of the budget has been allocated toward marketing activities, with 2020-21 representing the highest allocation ever at more than 70% of the total budget. We thank the outgoing 2019-20 CAC Board, under the direction of Chairman John Lamb, for their work to build balanced budgets and prioritize spending.

    The California Department of Food and Agriculture seated newly elected California Avocado Commission board members at the Commission’s November 19, 2020 board meeting. The following new members shall serve a two-year term (November 1, 2020 through October 31, 2022).

    District 1 Member: Jessica Hunter (Re-elected; existing District 1 Member)

    District 2 Member: John Cornell (New Member; previously District 2 Alternate)*
    District 3 Member: John Lloyd-Butler (New Member; previously District 3 Alternate)*
    District 4 Member: Rachael Kimball Laenen (New Member)
    District 5 Member: Andrew Prechtl (New Member)
    Handler Member: Gary Caloroso,  Giumarra (Re-elected; existing Handler Member)
    *With previous alternates assuming member seats in District 2 and District 3, there now exist vacancies for alternate seats in these two districts. These vacancies will be filled by a majority vote of the board at an upcoming Commission board meeting.
    The following newly elected Executive Officers shall serve a one-year term (November 1, 2020 through October 31, 2021).
    Chairman – Rob Grether, District 3 Member
    Vice-Chairman – Ryan Rochefort, District 2 Member
    Treasurer – Jason Cole, District 4 Member

    Secretary – Jessica Hunter, District 1 Member

  • Progress Toward Greening-Resistant Citrus Trees

    University of Florida scientists achieved a major milestone in their quest to develop a citrus greening-resistant tree by sequencing the genome of a fruit plant that’s a close cousin to citrus trees. You’d need to print 54,000 pages of copy paper to see the complete genome sequence. But within it, scientists believe they’ve found genes to lay the groundwork to make citrus more tolerant and even resistant to certain diseases, including citrus greening.

    UF/IFAS researchers sequenced the genome from trifoliate orange, in collaboration with scientists from the University of California at Berkeley, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Joint Genome Institute and UF’s Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research. The new genome will help those who breed new citrus trees that will survive under today’s challenging conditions, including invasive pests, viruses and changing climates. Their research provides a powerful new tool to control the deadly consequences of the greening disease, which has severely damaged the state’s multibillion dollar-a-year citrus industry.

    “Very importantly, trifoliate orange and its hybrids have genes that can confer high tolerance to citrus greening and resistance to the Asian citrus psyllid, the insect that transmits greening to citrus,” said Zhanao Deng, a professor environmental horticulture and a senior author on the new UF/IFAS-led study. “This genome can be used as a reference template to sequence widely used trifoliate orange hybrid rootstock varieties.”

    “Most people – even citrus growers – rarely see trifoliate orange. This is because they usually are the rootstock part of the tree, mostly underground,” said Fred Gmitter, a UF/IFAS professor of citrus breeding genetics and a co-author on the study.

    Trifoliate oranges or their hybrids are grown at nurseries, and farmers use them as rootstock to grow the citrus that’s above ground. Trifoliate orange and its hybrids were used as the rootstock for more than three million citrus trees in Florida alone in 2018-2019, UF/IFAS researchers say.

    Trifoliate orange and its hybrid rootstocks accounted for 82% of the top 20 rootstocks used in the 2018-2019 citrus propagation cycle in Florida.

    “Our trifoliate orange genome will allow scientists to develop new tools that can more speedily transfer beneficial genes into sweet oranges, grapefruit and breeding of new scion cultivars, which grow above the ground,” Deng said.

    “Releasing the first trifoliate orange genome can be valuable for our citrus gene-editing efforts,” Gmitter said. Scientists are using gene editing to produce canker-resistant and greening-tolerant citrus.

    “Because of our high-quality genome, re-sequencing of trifoliate orange hybrid rootstock varieties will be much easier, much quicker and much more cost-efficient,” said Deng. “Re-sequencing will enable development of new breeding tools, such as DNA marker-based selection, genomic selection of new rootstock varieties with resistance and tolerance to citrus greening, citrus tristeza virus and citrus nematodes. The new varieties might give higher yield and fruit quality.”

    Citrus breeders want to introduce desirable genes from trifoliate orange into sweet orange, grapefruit and other varieties. It took decades to produce the first citrus scion variety (‘Sun Dragon’) from crossing trifoliate orange and transferring some of its genes across multiple generations into sweet orange. With this new information from genome sequencing, that timeline can be dramatically reduced.

    This project was funded by two grants from the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) and a grant from the USDA/NIFA Citrus Disease Research and Extension (CDRE) program.

    To see a video about the research and its implications, click here. — By Brad Buck, University of Florida