California's stone fruit crop has started harvesting a little earlier than last year. "The industry is packing peaches and nectarines already and plums really haven't started yet. Most growers should be picking something in the next couple of weeks–I would expect that plums would start early as well," says Jon McClarty of HMC Farms.
The grower-shipper has begun with conventional and organic yellow and white peaches and yellow and white nectarines. Next month, it will begin with organic nectarines and organic white nectarines.
Good growing conditions
This year's supply has been good with strong quality and good sizing. "The growing conditions have been typical," says McClarty. "It's spring so there's a bit of variability in the weather. We've had some very warm days, but other days have seen rain, though none of this is extremely outside of expectations for this time of year. The only variability we seem to get in the summer is hot or very hot."
Demand for stone fruit seems to be pretty strong so far, which McClarty hopes will make for good pricing this season. "Our costs continue to go up so we need pricing to be better than last year so we're not moving backward," he adds.
For more information:
Jon McClarty
HMC Farms
Tel: +1 (559) 897-1025
www.hmcfarms.com