Despite a reduction in acreage, estimated California prune production for 2012 is higher than last year.Total production is estimated at 120,000 tons by the California Agricultural Statistics Service. That's a slight increase from 2011's total of 119,000 tons. With 2012's acreage 5% lower than last year's, yield is estimated to rise from 2.05 tons per acre in 2011 to 2.18 tons per acre in 2012. Fruit-bearing acreage was 58,000 in 2011, while 2012's total is pegged at 55,000 acres.
This year's bloom was reported early, but no problems were associated with the early timing. Similarly, though some areas experienced hail, there was no widespread damage.