California cantaloupe growers expect a delayed but promotable season

California cantaloupe farmers are overjoyed with the amount of rainfall received this past winter and the reprieve from severe drought conditions that have impacted growing areas for the past several years.

Though rain was heavy throughout the winter, cantaloupe-producing districts have not experienced flooding that has affected other parts of the state. What’s more, California cantaloupe fields had not yet been planted at the time of the state’s heaviest downpour in early 2023, according to a news release.

California cantaloupe growers are reporting that wet fields and rainy weather definitely delayed planting, particularly in the southern growing districts of Imperial Valley. This means that promotable volumes of cantaloupe from California will likely not be available until Memorial Day weekend, with peak supplies expected throughout June.

“In short, we know the beginning of California cantaloupe season will be approximately two weeks later than normal this year,” Westside Produce’s Garrett Patricio said in the release.

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Patricio added that major delays for the San Joaquin Valley harvest are not expected.

Cantaloupe plantings in the major San Joaquin Valley growing regions were also slightly affected by wet fields. This is not expected to significantly delay harvest of Westside cantaloupe, which should peak in mid-July as it normally does.

“Importantly, we want to remind everyone the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board operates a robust, mandatory food safety program that involves government audits of all cantaloupe farmers, packing facilities and cold storage operations,” Patricio said in the release. “We want to assure our customers that flooded fields have not been an issue for us this year even with the heavy rains.”

Patricio further noted that California cantaloupe growers have invested heavily in food safety research for over 20 years and the industry has adopted growing systems that keep irrigation water from coming into contact with cantaloupes in the field.