After weeks of reviewing the impact of wind and fire to California avocado groves, the California Avocado Commission (CAC) has released its 2018 crop forecast, and the news is good: 374.6 million pounds of avocados. The total is nearly double the yield of last year’s crop and considerably better than some had feared.
“The CAC 2018 pre-season crop estimate of 374.6 million pounds of California avocados means there will be solid volume for retailers and foodservice operators to work with,” said Tom Bellamore, CAC president. “Despite some harsh blows from Mother Nature, California avocado growers are resilient, and the industry is expecting a good year.”
The crop forecast follows a series of weather events, including the Lilac fire in Riverside county and the Thomas fire in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. The Thomas fire, which began on Dec. 4 and burned more than 280,000 acres over a month, was the largest wildfire in recorded California history. Wind and mudslides also have taken a serious toll on the region. However, the impact on California avocados was relatively limited.
“Many California avocado growers experienced loss, both personal and professional, and our hearts go out to them. Across the industry, though, only about 5 percent of the crop was damaged,” said Bellamore.
To support the 2018 crop, the CAC will continue its Made of California marketing campaign with new creative executions. Customized marketing plans for targeted customers will be a focus, and CAC says it has a full slate of innovative programs in development.
Created in 1978, CAC strives to enhance the positioning of California avocados through advertising, promotion and public relations, and engages in related industry activities. California avocados are commercially cultivated by more than 2,000 growers in the Golden State. The CAC Commission serves as the official information source for California avocados and the California avocado industry.
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