California pomegranates had a big, fresh year in 2021, USDA statistics show.
2021 shipments of California pomegranates totaled 2.29 million 22-pound cartons, up 39% from 1.65 million cartons in 2020 and up 46% from 1.57 million cartons in 2019.
Peak shipments of California pomegranates in 2021 occurred in October, when 37% of the annual crop was shipped. November saw the second-most shipments, with volume that month accounting for 29% of annual 2021 shipments.
September, December and January also saw shipments of California pomegranates at lighter levels.
The USDA reports the top week for U.S. retail promotion of pomegranates in 2021 was Nov. 5, when 19,508 retail stores promoted pomegranates at an average price of $1.25 each.
Stronger prices
The average annual fob price for pomegranates has steadily climbed in recent years, USDA numbers show.
The average fob price for pomegranates reached $36.83 per carton in 2021, 22% up from $30.14 per carton in 2020, 24% higher than $29.77 per carton in 2019 and 57% higher than the fob average of $23.46 in 2018.
California pomegranate bearing acreage in 2017, the most recent year available, was 29,714 acres, up slightly from 29,570 acres in 2012 and more than double the 12,057 bearing acres reported in 2007.
