California Business Minute™

Hi, I am Tim Johnson and welcome to the California Business Minute.

One of the great things about living in California is access to fresh picked avocados. 
Unfortunately, the recent wildfires, coupled with the Santa Ana winds and freeze from
last year have impacted this year’s production.

While most of the nation’s avocados are grown in the state, the California Avocado
Commission initially reported that around 4,000 acres of 5 percent of the total acreage
was impacted by the wildfires.  But it appears damage will be greater than forecasted
due to the additional damage caused by strong winds that knocked plenty of the fruit
off the trees.

While the Commission had forecasted production this year in excess of 33 percent over
last year, the damage from the recent fires and winds has reduced that forecast to around
20 percent. 

It is expected that 165,000 tons will be harvested this year, slightly above average but far
greater than last year’s 135,000.

I am Tim Johnson and this has been the California Business Minute.