More water aids California pomegranates
Better water availability has California pomegranate shippers optimistic heading into the new season.
Madera, Calif.-based Western Fresh Marketing Services Inc. expects to begin shipping wonderful pomegranates in the first week of October, about five days earlier than last year but comparable to other years, said Roger Pimentel, salesman.
Western Fresh's volumes will likely be lighter than last season due to extra pruning its Firebaugh, Calif.-based grower partner did this summer, Pimentel said.
"Our crop should be about 10% lighter than last year's crop," he said.
Sizes should be big, however, as they were last year, and quality good, Pimentel said.
"A lot of our customers like the bigger sizes, and most likely that will happen again this year," he said.
In the past, Firebaugh-based Ruby Fresh has harvested earlier California pomegranate varieties on about 50 acres, said David Anthony, domestic salesman.
This year, however, growers pruned more aggressively because of drought damage from last year, and as a result, Anthony won't ship until the wonderful season kicks off in October.
"We're looking at the first week of October for our first wonderfuls in a light way, with promotable volumes by Oct. 7-10."
Strong preseason demand from both domestic and export markets boded well for the upcoming season, Anthony said.
"We're expecting a very good season."
Ruby Fresh typically doesn't harvest until fruit has a brix level of at least 18 and good color, Anthony said.
More water was available for California pomegranates this year compared to last year, Pimentel said. Western Fresh's fruit is being sprayed with sun block to protect from sunburn, further ensuring good quality, he said.
Anthony also reported better water availability for pomegranate growers in California this year. Many small- and medium-sized growers didn't get enough water in 2015, and their volumes were down as a result, he said.
More water and better thinning and pest management practices should ensure a high-quality crop this year, he said.
"Those three things were missing or minimal last year," Anthony said.
Sizes will likely peak on 24s, with promotable volumes of 30s and 36s also likely, Anthony said. As for the larger 16s and 18s retailers crave?
"They'll be tight as hen's teeth, as usual."
