California Ag Network

Tag: California Avocado Commission

  • LA Times Report Highlights Corruption in Mexico’s Avocado Region

    The California Avocado Commission said a new Los Angeles Times report detailing pervasive violence and intimidation in Mexico’s major avocado-producing region underscores the urgent need for USMCA import limits on Mexican avocados to protect US growers, safeguard the U.S. food supply and prevent criminal organizations from destroying a vitally important sector of American agriculture.

    The Times report, “Avocados were a lifeline — and then a bitter fruit,” chronicles the experience of families in San Ángel Zurumucapio, Michoacán, where avocado production brought new economic opportunity but where growers have also faced extortion, kidnappings and violence. Residents ultimately organized armed self-defense groups to protect their community.

    “The human toll described by the Los Angeles Times is heartbreaking, and Mexican farmers being threatened, extorted, or caught in cartel violence deserve our sympathy and support. California growers should not have to compete against a Mexican avocado supply chain exploited by cartels that can distort markets and undermine U.S. production,” said Ken Melban, president of the California Avocado Commission. “When criminal organizations can extort growers and influence the supply chain, American farmers are left competing in a market shaped by forces far outside normal agricultural competition. That’s why CAC is calling for a seasonal TRQ, to keep trade open while protecting American growers from market-disrupting import surges during our harvest season.”

    — Story contributed by the California Avocado Commission 

  • California Avocado Harvest on Track for 330M Pound Drop

    The California Avocado Commission’s mid-season forecast confirmed that the projected harvest still aligns with its original estimate of 330 million pounds of avocados. California’s volume ramped up significantly in May and June to satisfy consumer demand, bolstered by the Commission’s increased focus on customized support for retailers who merchandise

    fresh, in-season California avocados.

    “We have had very positive responses from retailers about this year’s demand-building marketing programs and a renewed emphasis on customized programs for retailers,”

    said CAC President Ken Melban. “We’re seeing impressive results in distribution and seasonal commitments.”

    CAC’s retail support programs this season include customized display bins and signage featuring California avocado growers, in-store and online digital advertising, Connected TV/streaming video, digital coupons, sales contests, ad flyers, demos and social media outreach.

    Customer-specific programs include social media series, e-newsletter integrations and activations with local influencers. California avocado consumer advertising continues to support the brand through the summer in targeted markets. In addition to Connected TV/streaming video, digital and out-of-home media will reach target consumers with CAC’s Voice of the Grower campaign, an authentic evolution of CAC’s marketing efforts that showcases growers talking about their avocados in their own words.

    Performance of targeted ads via an online shopping delivery service are exceeding the Commission’s expectations.

    “This year’s crop of fresh, responsibly farmed California avocados is showing good sizing with outstanding quality,” said Melban. “With about 100 million pounds still to be harvested, now is an excellent time for retailers to promote this locally grown fruit and to support domestic agricultural production.”

    — Story contributed by the California Avocado Commission

  • California Avocado Growers Release Video Urging Tariff Rate Quota on Mexican Imports

    The California Avocado Commission released a new video last week as part of a broad advocacy campaign urging federal officials to put American farmers first by adopting a seasonal import policy for Mexican avocados during California’s marketing season, March to September.

    The video features celebrity chef and restaurant owner Andrew Gruel; Jayme Franklin, founder and CEO of The Conservateur; Rep. Vince Fong (R-Calif.) and; California avocado farmers Rachael Laenen of Kimball Ranches, Andy Sheaffer of Vista Punta Gorda, Robert Jackson of Jackson Ranch, John Haskett of Lucky Charm Farms and Maureen Cottingham of CamLam Farms.

    The release comes as U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced Wednesday that the United States did not agree to renew the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement in its current form. The agreement, which governs much of the trade among the United States, Mexico and Canada, remains in force while the countries address its shortcomings. Greer also said the United States will meet with Mexico the week of July 20 for a third round of bilateral negotiations related to the trade agreement’s joint review.

    The Commission said those talks are directly relevant to California avocado growers because of Mexican avocado imports, cartel involvement in Mexico’s avocado industry, pest inspections and risks, and market oversupply all affect whether U.S. trade policy is working for American farmers and consumers.

    “We are on the precipice of a culinary disaster, I call it, because there may come a day soon where we are no longer able to buy California avocados in our own backyard because of the oversurplus of imports on the market that are ultimately going to wipe out California avocados,” Gruel said.

    The Commission is calling for a seasonal tariff rate quota on Mexican avocado imports from March through September, California’s primary harvest window. Under the proposal, a set volume of Mexican avocados would continue entering the U.S. market during those months at a zero  tariff rate. Imports above that level could still enter, but at a high tariff rate.

    “If we believe in America First and Making America Healthy Again, that should include the food that we put on our tables,” Franklin said. “So next time you’re at the grocery store, look for California-grown avocados. I’ll always support the hardworking California families that grow the best avocados in the world.”

    “California avocado growers are not asking to stop trade, we’re asking for the opportunity to compete fairly in our own market,” said Ken Melban, president of the California Avocado Commission. “A seasonal Tariff Rate Quota is a balanced, common-sense solution that supports orderly markets while protecting America’s domestic food production capacity. This video  tells the story of our growers and demonstrates why thoughtful trade policy is essential to preserving a vibrant domestic avocado industry.”

    The video also focuses on cartel involvement in Mexico’s avocado industry. The Commission has previously raised concerns that cartel threats and violence contributed to reduced U.S. oversight of Mexican avocado inspections, increasing the risk that invasive pests could enter the United States through imported fruit.

    “From a single tree in Southern California, the Hass avocado became an icon, and it is 100% American,” Gruel said in the video.

    “Buying local means that you’re getting a fresher product because there’s a shorter supply chain,” Gruel said. “side by side , the California avocado versus an imported avocado, it’s a better product hands down. It’s richer, it’s creamier — and that’s the most important thing. On top of all of that, you’re supporting a local economy and you’re supporting American farmers, and that’s the backbone of our economy.”

    “In Mexico, cartels are extorting growers, controlling portions of the supply chain and using violence and intimidation to maintain that control,” Franklin said in the video. “Whatever your perspective is on trade policy, protecting American agriculture and ensuring a safe, reliable food chain is necessary.”

    “Many Americans are buying Mexican avocados and don’t even know that they are not grown with the same worker protection and pay standards, and environmental protections that we uphold here in the U.S.,” Franklin said.

    The Commission said the proposal should be considered as the United States reviews its trade relationship with Mexico. The commission said its goal is not to end avocado trade, but to ensure that trade policy does not allow foreign oversupply, cartel-compromised supply chains or weakened inspection systems to push American growers out of their own market. — Story contributed by the California Avocado Commission

  • USDA Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers Program Accepting Applications

    The California Avocado Commission is encouraging its growers to apply for aid from the USDA Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) program

    For growers who submitted their 2025 eligible acres before the April 24 deadline, the ACSF has allocated $1.6 billion through a one-time bridge payment for specialty crops not covered through the Farm Bridge Assistance program. Payment limitations are set at $250,000 and the program has an adjusted gross income limitation of $900,000. The program is designed to provide financial support to allow specialty crop growers pay for production and marketing inputs in the face of significant market disruptions during the 2025 growing season.

    To be eligible, producers must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien and have reported eligible acres for the 2025 crop year by April 24. Avocado growers are considered tier 2 at $255 per acre.

    Pre-filled applications are available for growers who reported their 2025 crop acreage report by the deadline. Producers also can request their pre-filled application from their local Farm Service Agency office beginning June 8. Completed applications can be returned in person, via email or fax or electronically using Box and One-span.

    The deadline to apply is August 7, 2026. — Story contributed by the California Avocado Commission

  • Avocado Commission Seeks Nominees for Board Vacancies

    The California Avocado Commission has one District 5 producer member seat, one District 4 producer alternate member seat, and one handler alternate member seat available on the CAC Board of Directors. The deadline to submit nominations is February 25. Completed forms should be emailed to cac.iaf@avocado.org.

    The vacancies will be filled by a majority vote of the Board at a meeting held on March 5. The District 4 seat and handler seat will serve through October 31, 2027. The District 5 seat will serve through October 31, 2026.

    Persons interested in serving on the CAC Board must complete the relevant forms listed below.

    Qualifications for the producer positions are as follows:

    • Nominee shall certify they meet the definition of a producer/grower as defined by CAC: “engaged within this state in the business of producing, or causing to be produced, avocados for market.” It should be noted the definition does not include persons whose average annual production is less than 10,000 pounds of avocados in the three preceding market years.
    • Nominee shall certify they are not a handler or employee of a handler under the same entity that qualifies them as a producer.
    • Nominees can be nominated in only one district — those who produce avocados in more than one district must select one district for their nomination.
    • Nominees must complete and submit all required documents and maintain their qualifications throughout the term of their office.

    Qualifications for the handler position are as follows:

    • Nominee shall certify they meet the definition of a handler as defined by CAC: “has a financial interest in handling avocados for market either through ownership, employment or membership in a legal entity which is actively and directly engaged in the handling of avocados.”
    • Nominee shall certify they are “actively and directly engaged in the handling of California avocados
    • Nominees must complete and submit all required documents and maintain their qualifications throughout the term of their office.

    For additional information, contact the Commission at 949.341.1955 or email cac.iaf@avocado.org. —By California Avocado Commission

  • California Avocado Commission Announces Fall Grower Meetings

    Throughout September, the California Avocado Commission (CAC) will host a series of Fall 2025 District Grower Meetings in various California avocado growing regions. As with last year, CAC Board members will be in attendance to discuss the 2025-26 assessment rate and budget. CAC staff will provide reports on 2024-25 marketing and industry affairs activities, as well as engage with growers regarding communication preferences. Growers will have the opportunity to ask questions and participate in discussions.

    Below are the dates, times and locations for the 2025 District Meetings.

    Fallbrook

    Tuesday, September 9
    9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
    Fallbrook Public Utility District
    990 East Mission Road
    Fallbrook, CA 92028

    Oxnard

    Wednesday, September 10
    9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
    Hilton Garden Inn – Adagio Bella Banquet Hall
    2000 Solar Drive
    Oxnard, CA 93036

    San Luis Obispo

    Thursday, September 11
    9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
    San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau
    4875 Morabito Place
    San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

  • California Avocado Acreage Increases, 2023 Report Available

    Each year the California Avocado Commission partners with Land IQ to produce a Statewide Avocado Acreage and Condition Analysis report utilizing digital satellite imagery, aerial photography and analytical tools to survey California avocado groves. This data helps the Commission make informed budgeting and marketing decisions and provides industry members with spatial data concerning crop type, location, condition and density. See the full 2023 Report HERE.

    According to the report:

    • In 2023 there were 52,534 planted avocado acres
    • The majority of growing acreage is located in Ventura, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Riverside and San Luis Obispo Counties with a total of 50,818 planted acres
    • The five top-producing counties reported 1,059 new/young acres and 3,399 topped/stumped acres

    The report also provides acreage data by zip code, county, condition, year planted and density.

    The California Avocado Commission’s crop estimating team in conjunction with Land IQ uses the latest in remote sensing techniques to assess avocado acreage in production.  As technology continues to advance refinements in our fourth generation of remote sensing techniques were applied to satellite imagery collected during spring and summer months.  The imagery processing techniques include; segmentation into homogenous polygons, retention of tree crop polygons, calculation of average crop canopy moisture and vegetation indices, analysis of change maps from previous inventories, and classification of avocado groves into four categories; producing, topped/stumped, new/young, and abandoned.  Aerial imagery (for a real-world view), and satellite imagery (for spectral and temporal data) are integrated into previously classified avocado acreage and analyzed for current condition of California avocado acreage statewide.

  • Maintaining Microirrigation Systems

    Microirrigation systems — microsprinklers, drip emitters and drip tape — tend to provide better distribution/emission uniformity than other irrigation methods. However, the miniscule flow passages in these systems can become clogged and thus disrupt the uniformity of water applied to a crop. Clogging also decreases the amount of salt leaching around the lateral line.

    Late fall and winter are an ideal time to review irrigation systems for needed repairs or malfunctions. A great resource is the University of California’s Maintenance of Microirrigation Systems website that outlines various causes of microirrigation clogging and means of preventing or mitigating the problems.

    The first step in alleviating clogs is identifying the problem. Clogs can be caused by:

    • Particulates — sand, silt, clay — from surface water sources
    • Biological materials — algae, bacterial slimes — from surface water sources
    • Chemical precipitates — such as iron and calcium carbonate — from groundwater sources or fertigation

    To identify the issues, first flush water from the lateral lines through a nylon stocking or paint straining cloth and examining what material is collected. If you see mineral particles, you have identified your problem. If you notice that clogging tends to occur at the ends of the lines, this also tends to indicate particulate clogging.

    If you identify organic matter when flushing the line, then biological materials are the issue. You also can open the end of a lateral line and feel inside the tube to see if it is slimy. If so, biological materials are the source of your problem.

    If you note white, crusty materials or reddish staining of the soil near the emitters, this is indicative of chemical precipitates.

    Once you have identified the clogging source, you can take steps to address the issue.

    Particulate issues can be prevented by regular line flushing and the use of filters. The website provides a list of various filters and a table noting which filter to choose based on water source, particulates and irrigation system. To adequately flush the lines, water must flush at least 1 foot per second at the end of the drip line — 1 gallon/minute for 5/8” diameter and 2 gallons/minutes for 7/8” diameter drip lines.

    If organic matter is the source of the clogging, the best mode of treatment is a good filtration system combined with use of a biocide to remove the biological contaminants. Visit the UCANR site for a list of filters and the aforementioned “how to choose a filter” table.

    If calcium carbonate (lime) or iron is clogging your emitters, strong acid can make either disappear if emitters are left in it overnight. Lowering the pH (6 or below) of the water by injecting common acids — sulfuric acid, muriatic acid or hydrochloric acid — can help prevent clogging due to lime. UCANR provides specific formulas to help growers determine the injection rate needed to alter water pH.

    If high iron levels are the source of the clogging, aerating the water to oxidize the iron and then allowing the precipitates to settle before irrigating (a reservoir or settling basin is necessary) is the most practical option. Common acids also can be injected to decrease the pH of the water (4 or less).

    Other maintenance tasks include addressing leaks. For above ground systems, lines can be inspected routinely by using a motorized vehicles to drive along the lines when the irrigation system is running. Detecting leaks for subsurface drip systems is much more difficult, with many sources of the leaks being identified several feet from where the excessive water is detected. If the tail ends of your lateral lines are exposed, one of the best ways to test for leaks is to open just a few of the ends of the lines and note whether the waterflow is diminished.

    Because filters can clog frequently, many growers opt not to use screen washers in lateral lines and instead use primary and secondary filters to limit contaminants. Filter maintenance consists of occasionally backwashing them to remove collected matter. This can be done by removing and cleaning the screen or opening a valve and using the water pressure to remove buildup.

    As concerns pressure gauges, it is recommended these be installed upstream and downstream of filters and downstream from pressure-regulating valves. Liquid-filled pressure gauges are a preferred choice but tend to be more expensive. And remember to check the gauges, especially those exposed to the sun which may need to be replaced yearly. — By the California Avocado Commission

    For more information on routine microirrigation tasks, visit the UCANR website.

  • Season Opener Public Relations Event in San Diego County Spreads News of California Avocado Availability

    California Avocado Commission — California avocado growers in the San Diego region are among the first to harvest their fruit, providing local grocers and consumers with a first taste of the season’s fresh crop. To generate excitement and build awareness among San Diego area shoppers about the start of the California avocado season, the California Avocado Commission invited nine well known San Diego-focused influencers on a grove tour and retail sampling event.

    The Commission partnered with social media personalities recognized for their interest in great food, healthy lifestyles, sustainability focus and a talent for showcasing unique San Diego opportunities their followers can try for themselves. The influencers included Sophie Chu, Ashely Diedenhofen, Ellie Ferdowsi, Sierra Georgistis, Jas Grover, Arianna Kotlier, Reyna Pizarro, Robin Plotnik and Marie Reginato.

    Starting in the early morning in Del Mar, the influencers traveled to Fairfield Farms in Pauma Valley and enjoyed an informative session about California avocados, sustainable production, grower histories and the upcoming season. Upon their arrival, California avocado grower Spencer Steed took the influencers on a walking and wagon tour of the grove, providing an overview of the operation, his family’s agricultural background and the organic and sustainable growing practices they employ. As influencers toured the grove and picked fresh California avocados, they captured the moments with creatively staged photography that were shared across their social channels to help announce the start of California avocado season.

    After the tour, the social media personalities visited the Del Mar location of CAC retail partner for the event, Gelson’s, and participated in the year’s first California avocado sampling event. California avocado grower and packer Jessica Hunter (Del Rey Avocado Company) and Andy Lyall (Lyall Family Farms) were on hand to share their own growing experiences as the influencers captured additional photos and video.

    Each of the influencers shared their unique behind-the-scenes California avocado grove tour and sampling experiences with their followers in a visually captivating manner, coupling the imagery with messaging that celebrated the start of the California avocado season, the locally grown nature of the fruit and the sustainable farming practices of the growers.

    By partnering with hyperlocal San Diego social media influencers with large followings, the Commission was able to effectively target consumers in regions where they could purchase some of the first California avocados of the season. The campaign, which will continue in the weeks ahead, is expected to generate 1.5 million impressions and build demand for and excitement about the upcoming season.

    Additional public relations activity is also now underway in other key California avocado markets and will be reported on at a later date.

  • Research Indicates Paint Not Effective At Protecting Young Avocados From Herbicide Drift

    California Avocado Commission — While it is often common practice for fruit growers to apply white latex paint to the bottom 2 to 3 feet of young, newly planted trees in order to provide some protection from herbicide drift, researchers note there is little evidence to prove this practice is effective.

    A recent blog post by Dr. Ben Faber summarized the findings of a California field experiment conducted in 2017 that measured the impact of latex paint in preventing herbicide injury on young almond trees. The block of trees consisted of greenhouse-grown trees in cartons. Nine weeks prior to the herbicide applications, the cartons were removed for trees in the “no paint” and “old paint” sections so their bark could harden off. Two days prior to applying the herbicide, the cartons were removed for the “new paint” trees and then the trees were painted.

    According to the researchers:

    • The paint did not provide significant protection from glyphosate or glufosinate.
    • Tree stress caused by trunk-applied herbicides was lowest in trees with no paint, suggesting that allowing the bark to harden on young trees is an important means of protecting them from herbicide drift.
    • In most treatment combinations, old and new paint applications did not reduce tree stress as effectively as allowing the bark to harden on trees nine weeks prior to application.
    • The most effective means of protecting trunks was installing a carton. However, it is important to remember that once the carton is removed (as the tree matures), there may be green bark present which would be vulnerable to herbicides.