IRVINE, CA – California avocado season is getting going, and the California Avocado Commission (CAC) has announced its new Research Program Director.
Dr. Timothy Spann has returned to the Commission staff and is now taking on this role. Spann, who has a Ph.D. in plant biology from University of California, Davis, served as CAC’s Research Project Manager for two years before becoming an Associate Professor at Fresno State University.
“We’re very pleased to have Tim back on the Commission staff,” said CAC President Tom Bellamore. “He is leading production research activities that support California avocado grower productivity and contribute to delivering premium quality California avocados to the market year after year.”
The Commission also reported a strong opening to California avocado season in support of select California retailers’ Big Game promotions, according to a press release.
“Some crop damage due to cold weather did occur around the New Year, but its impact is expected to be less than five percent of total production,” said Bellamore. “We have been sampling the early season fruit and the appearance and flavor are outstanding.”
California avocado volume is expected to build into March with promotable volume beginning in April. Because of this, CAC has updated its production forecast to 327 million pounds for FY 2014-15.
