Prunes: orchard management techniques utilised to deliver quality crop
June 3, 2026 at 10:00 AM ,
Der AUDITOR
Heat has implications
As weather conditions were mild in the summer of 2025 blooming was good in California’s growing regions this year. According to a report issued by the University of California’s Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources in April, an early harvest was expected since warm weather prevailed after flowering. At present the 2026/2027 crop, however, appears to be developing on schedule.
Advise for growers is to thin out the trees early if necessary to achieve better fruit sizes. Although thinning results in lower yields, growers will be able to demand better prices for large fruits. Issue is that they have less time to mature. Problem, however, is that higher fuel prices may drive up production costs this year, which is why some growers may decide against pruning.
California's marketable production ranged at 71,023 tons (64,431 mt) in 2025/2026, presenting a 5% decline on 2024/2025. Together with the carryover stocks from the 2024 crop the total inventory reached 127,214 tons (115,407 mt) in the current season. Shipments are 6% down.
|
California prunes (tons) |
|||
|
Value |
CY 2024 |
CY 2025 |
Diff. |
|
Marketable production |
74,475 |
71,023 |
-4.6% |
|
Beginning inventory |
55,993 |
56,191 |
0.4% |
|
Total inventory |
130,468 |
127,214 |
-2.5% |
|
Total shipped |
55,292 |
51,822 |
-6.3% |
|
California Prunes, 01/08-30/04 |
|||
Bearing acres firm
According to Land IQ standing prune acreage totalled 40,307 acres in California as of 31 December 2025. This is 3% less than at the start of the calendar year. Yet, bearing acres remained virtually unchanged at 36,772, whereas non-bearing acres declined by 25%.
|
Prune acreage, California |
|||
|
Area |
01 Jan 2025 |
31 Dec 2025 |
Diff. |
|
Bearing |
36,930 |
36,772 |
-0.4% |
|
Non-bearing |
4,742 |
3,536 |
-25.4% |
|
Total |
41,672 |
40,307 |
-3.3% |
|
Land IQ, 30/04/2026 |
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Please note that this report was amended on 11 June 2026 to include more recent information regarding crop development. The California Prune Board (CPB) emphasises that there are at least eight to ten weeks to go to harvest, and that as usual at this time of year, work is ongoing in the orchards to ensure a consistent, larger sized, sweet and premium quality crop will be available.
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