Fruit and Nut Publication

United States Department of Agriculture
National Agricultural Statistics Service

Pacific Region Fruit & Nut Review
Cooperating with the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and Hawaii and Nevada Departments of Agriculture
Pacific Regional Office · P.O. Box 1258 · Sacramento, CA 95812 · (916) 498-5161 · (855) 270-2722 Fax · www.nass.usda.gov/ca

Released: April 29, 2016 · Frequency: Monthly · VOL. 4 NO. 4
MARCH CROP COMMENTS - CALIFORNIA
Weed control was ongoing in orchards. Stone fruits were
in full bloom and orchards continued to be treated with
bloom sprays. Pruning continued in vineyards. In San
Joaquin County, cherry orchards were blossoming, with
later varieties still in bloom by the middle of the month. In
Fresno County, nectarine, peach, apricot, and plum
orchards continued to be pruned, fertilized, and treated
for weed control. Early varieties of peaches and
nectarines began to bloom in the southern region of the
county. Orchard maintenance continued to be hampered
during the month due to rainfall. Both mechanical and
chemical weed control were ongoing. In Tulare County,
stone fruit trees continued to bloom with many of the
varieties leafing out and setting fruit. Repeated fungicide
applications to protect the bloom and young fruit were
being completed as rains continued throughout the
month. Grape vines continued to be pruned and tied, with
some vineyards beginning to bud-out. In Madera County,

grape buds pushed, with some growth reported up to
about one inch. Old vineyards continued to be pushed to
make way for new plantings. In Fresno and Madera
Counties, applications of copper and sulfur on grapes
began mid-month. Pomegranate and persimmon
orchards began to leaf-out. Kiwis were being trellised and
new plants were planted. In San Joaquin County, almond
orchard pollination was complete early in the month.
Walnut orchards continued to be pruned, with fungicide
being sprayed on blossoms before rain. In Fresno County,
almond buds began an early push in some orchards.
Growers continued to replace and replant new almond,
walnut, and pistachio orchards. In Yuba County,
preventive disease control continued in walnut orchards
as blooms and flowers were exposed to rain. Almond
growers reported continued rapid growth in many
counties.

CALIFORNIA CITRUS
In Tulare County, some citrus trees were still being
topped, hedge rowed, and skirted, with the prunings being
shredded. Seedless tangerines continued to be netted in
preparation for the citrus bloom period. Navel oranges,

Oro Blanco grapefruit, Mandarins, Minneola tangelos,
grapefruit, and lemons continued to be packed for foreign
and domestic markets.

FLORIDA CITRUS
In the citrus growing region, reported daily high
temperatures were well above average for this time of the
year. Most reporting stations had highs in the mid to upper
80s while a few stations had highs reaching over 90
degrees. Morning lows ranged from the 40s to the lower
70s. Rainfall was very sporadic in the citrus growing
region. There were only two or three days of heavy
rainfall, where totals were more than a half of an inch, and
less than ten days where any rainfall was present. About
half of the monitored weather stations recorded more than
two inches of rainfall for the month. Five of eighteen
monitored counties had totals higher than historical
averages. The most rainfall was in Kenansville (Osceola
County), at 5.16 inches, followed by Okeechobee
(Okeechobee County), at 5.11 inches. According to the
March 29, 2016 U.S. Drought Monitor, the entire citrus
region is drought free.

All processing plants were running Valencia oranges at
full capacity. Red and white grapefruit were being
harvested primarily for the processed market.
Packinghouse activity focused on Valencia oranges,
Honey tangerines, and red grapefruit. By the end of the
month, all other varieties were relatively complete for the
season. Most citrus trees were in full bloom or were
beginning petal drop. Some trees had already formed pea
size fruit for next season. Irrigation was widespread
across all areas, as well as applications of herbicides and
fertilizer. Growers were promptly applying bactericides in
foliar applications. Other grove activity included mowing
before harvest, hedging, and topping. Some of the larger
growers were pushing non-productive blocks and putting
new trees in the ground. Some groves heavily affected by
greening were being abandoned. General maintenance
was being performed in blocks where growers were
planning on keeping groves in business.

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CITRUS FRUIT PRODUCTION FORECAST, BY STATE AND U.S.
Crop and State
ORANGES: 1
California, All
Navel & Misc.
Valencia
Florida
Texas
U.S. Total
GRAPEFRUIT: 2
California, All
Florida
Texas
U.S. Total
LEMONS: 3
California
Arizona
U.S. Total
TANGERINES & MANDARINS: 4
California 5
Florida
Arizona 5 6
U.S. TOTAL

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

1,000 Cartons
99,000
77,400
21,600
209,400
3,554
311,954

97,200
78,200
19,000
193,900
2,904
294,004

105,000
84,000
21,000
152,000
3,140
260,140

7,700
31,300
11,400
50,400

8,600
25,800
8,500
42,900

7,800
21,400
10,400
39,600

37,600
3,600
41,200

41,200
4,000
45,200

42,000
3,000
45,000

29,400
5,800
300
35,500

37,000
4,530
340
41,870

44,000
2,800
(NA)
46,800

(NA) Not available.
1 ORANGES: California, 1 carton = 40 lbs; Florida, 1 carton = 45 lbs; Texas 1 carton = 42.5 lbs; Arizona, 1 carton = 37.5 lbs
2
GRAPEFRUIT: California, 1 carton = 40 lbs; Florida, 1 carton = 42.5 lbs; Texas, 1 carton = 40 lbs
3
LEMONS: 1 carton = 40 lbs
4 TANGERINES: California, 1 carton = 40 lbs; Florida, 1 carton = 47.5 lbs; Arizona, 1 carton = 40 lbs
5
Includes tangelos, tangerines, and tangors
6
Estimates discontinued in 2015-2016

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Pacific Region, Fruit & Nut Review (April 29, 2016)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service