California Avocado Industry

Hit Hard By Arctic Cold Blast

The major freeze event that hit

Southern California in mid-January caused significant damage to the

2007 avocado crop, according to a report from the California Avocado

Commission (CAC).

Industry experts say it will be several weeks before accurate figures are

available for both fruit and trees damaged by the frigid temperatures,

but early reports suggest that losses could reach 20-30% of 2007’s

projected 400 million pound crop.

Use of wind machines and irrigation water may have kept some avocado

groves from freezing in warmer locations, but reports of extensive

damage are coming into the Commission from California’s Central

Coast south to San Diego County.

“Even though the freeze caused serious damage to groves directly in its

path, most of the state’s 6500 growers will be able to meet consumer

demand in 2007—including the high-consumption Super Bowl weekend

in the short term,” said Commission President Mark Affleck. “Longer

term for 2007, imports from Chile and Mexico will partially offset the

drop in California volume, though prices will undoubtedly rise.”

CAC is working closely with government officials to do everything

possible to help affected growers recover and get back into production.

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