Warm weather made for an early start to California's fig harvest this year, with volumes coming early due to rapid maturation. Robust demand and good quality of fruit have also contributed to a strong market this year.“Like many other crops, figs have matured early this year,” said Kevin Herman of The Specialty Crop Company in Madera, California. He estimated that this year's harvest is about two weeks ahead of schedule, and while the early start meant early volumes this year, it will also likely mean an end to the season two weeks earlier than usual. In addition to an early start, the rate at which the season has progressed has been quick.
“The season has come on fast and furious,” said George Kragie of Western Fresh Marketing. “We started picking Calimyrna figs July 1, and that's the earliest we've ever done that. The Calimyrna season also usually lasts four and a half weeks, but we were done this year with picking in three weeks.” Kragie pointed to a moderate winter with few complications as the reason for the quick and early nature of this year's harvest. In terms of volume, he noted that production didn't particularly stand out, but the quality of fruit being harvested this year has been exceptional.
“Sizing has been very good,” said Kragie. “We've had some very big fruit, so that gave us the opportunity to market some bigger sizes this year.” Good quality has contributed to strong prices, with Kragie estimating that, on average, prices are roughly 10 to 20 percent higher than they were last year. A full tray of Calimyrna figs is going for about $11 this year, he noted, while a full tray of Black Mission figs is going for about $14. Also contributing to those higher prices has been steadily increasing consumer demand.
“Demand has been so strong that we're getting our figs in stores we weren't in before, and it's getting more people exposed to figs,” said Herman. “The market for dry figs is also helping with prices in the fresh market.” He explained that the pull from the dry fig market forces fresh buyers to match higher prices or risk losing product to the dry market.
As for the drought situation, which has all of the state's growers worried, both Herman and Kragie noted that, though fig growers, like everyone else in the state, are hoping for an end to the drought, the nature of figs makes the situation a little more bearable for them.
“Fig trees require a lot less water than most other trees, so the drought has had a minimal impact on us this year,” said Herman. “But if it continues, it could cause problems. We just need more rainfall.”