IRVINE, CA - Good morning, AndNowUKnow readers!
Today, I am bringing you some of the category and weather news from around the industry. Check back twice weekly to see where the rain is falling, the sun is shining, and everything in between.
HEAT WAVE COMING TO CALIFORNIA
As we had mentioned on Tuesday, the temperatures throughout California this week were a little cooler due to the wind and unstable air. Temperatures throughout the state however will be 10° warmer tomorrow and Sunday compared to today’s high temperatures. The coastal growing regions of Salinas, Santa Maria, and Oxnard will be in the low 70°s this weekend while the San Joaquin Valley will see high temperatures in the mid-80°s and the desert regions in the low 90°s.
By Monday, the temperatures will drop down a few degrees in all areas, but come Wednesday, April 17, the real heat wave begins and will last at least through Sunday, the 21st. Expect the desert regions to see the upper 90°s, the SJV to be in the low 90°s, and coastal regions to be in the upper 70°s to low 80°s.
Look for all regions to be in full production with their spring crops over the next 10 days.
CALIFORNIA BLUEBERRIES HAVE BEGUN
Blueberries out of the Golden State have begun. Yesterday, we had a chance to speak with Todd Sanders of the California Blueberry Commission to discuss the upcoming crop. Todd told me the harvest in the San Diego region has already started, while the big players in the San Joaquin Valley are just starting to scratch the bushes at the southern end of the valley around Bakersfield and should be up and running in the next 10 days. From there, the harvest will move north through the valley and to the coastal regions.
I asked Todd what effects the cold and wet winter has had on the plants and crop. Todd said the rain has been great for the bushes and the cold weather has provided an excellent number of chilling hours. “These factors have left the plants healthy and full of fruit. We will see a much larger crop than last year,” Todd mentioned. The only negative effect Todd mentioned is that the plants are about seven days behind schedule due to the cold.
Todd said the season should last about six weeks and will peak in late May. Look to promote blueberries for Memorial Day.
GEORGIA
In Georgia, according to the USDA National Shipping Point Trends report, they have also begun light harvest of early varieties of blueberries.
MEXICO
Mexico is still the main player in blueberries based on info from the same USDA report. They shipped 45 loads last week. However, the main growing regions of Michoacán are experiencing cool temperatures this week (as mentioned below). Could this affect production?
FLORIDA
Florida is coming on strong, doubling production every week since starting three weeks ago. Last week, they shipped 29 loads. Based on numbers, I would assume Florida to be the biggest shipper come next week. Main regions are around Plant City area and north to Alachua.
COOL NIGHTS IN CENTRAL MEXICO
The Central Mexico region can expect some unusually cool nights for this time of year. Tonight and tomorrow certain regions of Michoacán, Puebla, and Guanajuato can expect low temperatures down into the low 40°s and some high 30°s. These are temperatures 8 to 12° below normal. Last night through Saturday will be the coldest days of the snap but things won’t get back to normal, with minimum temperatures in the 50°s until Friday of next week. Blueberries and avocados are coming from these regions of Michoacán.
Wet veg is coming from regions of Puebla and Guanajuato.
WESTERN MEXICO
The states of Sinaloa and Sonora are expecting normal temperatures for this time of year. Maximum temperatures are in the upper 80°s to low 90°s.
FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE
The states of Florida and Georgia can expect warm days with occasional afternoon thunderstorms over the next 10 days. The best chance of rain will come this Sunday, and next Thursday and Friday. The higher rain totals will be in Northern Florida and Georgia. The further south you go down the Florida peninsula the less rain you will see. Northern Florida and Georgia can expect high temperatures in the low to mid 80°s while southern Florida can expect maximum temperatures in the 90°s. Please check the app for specific locations.
Thank you again for your support, and we will be back next week with another update.
