Hilary tests California avocado growers, but supplies expected to last through Labor Day

While tropical storm Hilary inundated Southern California with rains and high winds on Aug. 20 — the same day a moderate earthquake hit the Ojai, Calif., area — the California Avocado Commission reports the state’s avocado growers were largely unscathed.

As most of this year’s avocado harvest was picked before the storm, these events will not impact area farmers of the fruit, the commission said in a news release.

“This year’s crop of premium California avocados is about 90% harvested,” California Avocado Commission President Jeff Oberman said in the release. “Fortunately, there have been no reports of damage due to the Ojai earthquake, however, certain growing regions received as much as six inches of rain in one day. Farmers will need time for the groves to dry out to fully assess the impact of this rare tropical storm.”

Oberman, who joined the California Avocado Commission in October 2022, said that this season has had its challenges and rewards.

Growers welcomed more rain than expected, which is beneficial to the health of the trees. However, they had to brave tough market conditions and below-normal temperatures during the early and peak season, the release said.

As expected, peak availability during the 2023 season occurred from April through July, but some groves and sections of groves have fruit still to be picked, the commission says. Late-season market conditions have improved, but the storm that raged through California had the potential to present additional challenges.

Related: How tropical storm Hilary impacted one California grower

“California avocado growers’ resilience is inspiring,” Oberman said. “They are committed to building and maintaining a sustainable California avocado industry by using environmentally friendly farming practices, ensuring worker well-being, contributing to healthy communities and maintaining economic viability. We expect the remaining crop to be available for retailers and foodservice operators who have chosen to feature it for the Labor Day holiday.”

The California avocado crop for next season has already experienced its bloom and set stages. As growers conclude one harvest, they are evaluating if this recent storm will have any effect on next year’s harvest and are carefully nurturing the next year’s Golden State avocados, the release said.

California avocados are cultivated by about 3,000 growers in the Golden State, says the California Avocado Commission, the official information source for California avocados and the California avocado industry.