May 5, 2009
News from the Network
News from the Network
Packouts will increase this week as many packers in the Reedley area will begin harvest. Temperatures should range from the mid to upper 80´s this period. Harvest timing is generally the same as last year, but 4-5 days later than normal.
Peaches
The first major yellow peach of the season, Super Rich, is now being harvested. Sizes should peak on 64s, followed by 72s. Super Lady, a fairly new variety is harvesting and will continue through the week. Among Summerwhite® varieties, Snow Angel is the major producing variety. Late this week and early next week will be the peak harvest for this variety, as most orchards in the Reedley-Traver area will start harvest this period. The first Spring Snows should be harvested at the end of this period.
Nectarines
Honey May, one of the first nectarines of the season, is now harvesting, with sizes mostly ranging from 64´s to 80´s. The first April Glo will start harvest this period.
The plum harvest should get started at the end of next week.
|
Through last Saturday |
Season to Date (1,000) |
2009 Estimate (1,000) |
|
Yellow peaches |
44.5 |
16,061 |
|
Summerwhite® peaches |
33.3 |
5,366 |
|
Peaches Total |
77.8 |
21,427 |
|
Yellow Nectarines |
4.6 |
14,573 |
|
Summerwhite® nectarines |
0 |
4,654 |
|
Nectarines Total |
4.6 |
19,227 |
|
Plums |
0 |
8,910 |
The Boards and Committees of the California Tree Fruit Agreement finalized the 2009 fresh peach, plum and nectarine (PPN) estimates and timing on Thursday, April 30. The industry expects a total crop size of 49.6 million packages: 21.4 million packages of peaches, 8.9 million of plums and 19.2 million of nectarines. Timing is consistent compared to 2008, with the crop overall running 4-5 days later than the historical average which traditionally benefits fruit sizing.
Peaches are estimated at 21.4 million boxes, with 16 million yellow-flesh and 5.4 million Summerwhites®. Nectarines are estimated at 19.2 million boxes of which 4.6 million boxes are Summerwhite® varieties. Estimates for Summerwhite® varieties (peaches and nectarines) are 13 percent below 2008 production, while traditional yellow flesh varieties are off 11 percent. The most significant decline will be in plums, which are expected to be down 30 percent to 8.9 million from over 12 million last year.