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Prunes: smaller fruit sizes

June 3, 2026 at 10:00 AM , Der AUDITOR
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SACRAMENTO. California's hot weather will have implications for prunes this year. Shipments have dipped. Land IQ's Acreage Update shows that bearing acres are firm.

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, an early harvest is expected since warm weather prevailed after flowering. Harvesting may even start at the end of July in the southern Sacramento Valley.

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 as the plums will be significantly smaller this year. 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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