With less than a month before the kiwi harvest in California begins, early estimates put this year's production on par with last year's production. But with drought conditions possibly affecting production and imported supplies of fruit being lighter than in previous years, demand could outstrip supply and lead to strong prices.
The production estimate for the upcoming kiwifruit season is 7.0 million trays, according to the Kiwifruit Administrative Committee. That would be slightly more than last season's production of 6.8 million trays. Acreage for the upcoming season is also expected to be slightly more than last year year's acreage, with 3,700 acres of land dedicated to Hayward kiwis. But persistent drought conditions could affect the final numbers for the season. With some growers receiving little of the water allocations to which they are entitled, production could suffer. Similarly, while it's expected sizing of fruit will be good this year, problems with a lack of water could also lead to smaller sizes of fruit.
If there is a lighter crop, it would most likely lead to a firming up of what is already a strong kiwifruit market. Because complications from a freeze in Chile made for less fruit there, shipments of kiwifruit from Chile to the United States dropped significantly from the previous year. If this year's California harvest, which is expected to begin during the latter half of September, comes up short, then prices could continue to rise.