Heat Scorches California Avocados

Avocados are having a tough time in California this month. With temperatures soaring to over 115 degrees on July 6th, scorched avocados and crop loss is being reported. This is expected to reduce supply and increase prices in August

From The Packer:

Avocado groves in San Diego County’s Pauma Valley and Temecula suffered from the heat, said Bob Lucy, partner with Del Rey Avocado Co. Inc., Fallbrook, Calif.

“Everybody’s afraid to really put a number on it because we really don’t know,” he said. “It may have been the worst heat spell that I’ve seen in my years in the industry.”

Fruit drop associated with the heat is expected to reduce the supply and perhaps increase the price of California avocados marketed in August, though suppliers expect some volume to extend to Labor Day.

Fortunately, that level of heat has not been sustained over a long period of time or things would be a lot worse. This is definitely something industry folks will want to keep an eye on.