The harvest of the first (also known as Breba) California fig crop has begun. "Picking started last week and the quality is really good on a good-sized crop," says Marc Marchini of J. Marchini Farms.
The Breba crop is notably a shorter fig crop that will go for another week or so and generally sees strong demand. "It's a really quick season that's two weeks ahead of last year and probably eight or nine days ahead of normal," he says.
The second, more sizable crop of figs will then come in in late July and the outlook is equally positive on that crop as well. "There will be great quality and great supply for the second crop which includes varieties such as Kadotas, Mission, and Brown Turkeys," says Marchini. August is a promotable time for the crop and then production wraps up by the end of October.
One of the last seasonal fruits
As for demand, it looks similar to last year. "Demand is good right now because figs are one of the last few seasonal items that have excitement behind them so when they're available, people want them," he says. "We really just supply our market and there are not a lot of imports. When there are imports, it's when we don't have figs so we have a unique growing window at this time of year."
On consumption, while there's been more interest in them, it hasn't been expanding per se. "There are traditional fig consumers but I do see that the next generation is also interested in them," says Marchini.
Meanwhile, prices are lower than last year at this time given there's more supply available. The second crop prices should also be a little softer than last year's prices as well. "With ample water and a normal growing season and an early start, that all contributes," says Marchini.
For more information:
Marc Marchini
J. Marchini Farms
Tel: +1 (559) 665-2944
[email protected]
https://jmarchinifarms.com/