The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that California's raisin production will be less than last year's crop and the smallest in several years.Although summer weather conditions have been favorable, spring frost has contributed to lower estimates for 2012. A U.S. Department of Agriculture report released on Friday projects this year's crop total to reach 1.9 million tons, which is 13.4 percent lower than last year's production of 2.2 million tons. The last time the state's crop was so low was in 2006 when raisin production was 1.8 million tons.
Lower total production is a result of lower yields. It's estimated that average bunches per vine this year will be 29.1. Last year, growers got significantly better yields of 38.7 bunches per vine. Similarly, California's growers achieved 10.70 tons per acre in 2011 while this year's yield, at 9.27 tons per acre, is expected to be lower.