After a disappointing 2011 season, California's olive growers are anticipating a crop this year which will approach 2010's record production.A U.S. Department of Agriculture report released on Friday estimates California olive production to reach 180,000 tons this year. That's a large improvement over last year's crop of 71,200 tons and is as close to 2010's record haul of 195,000 tons as growers have had in many years.
A growing period with good weather has contributed to this year's optimistic outlook. Although some growers in the southern part of the state reported a false bloom which decreased the crop set, the majority of growers reported a good set due to favorable weather during the bloom period.
This year's yield is projected to reach 4.09 tons per acre on 44,000 bearing acres.