California Rain Brings Optimism, Slow Start to Citrus Harvest

Rain in California is almost always a reason to celebrate, particularly amidst an ongoing severe-to-extreme drought. The previous three years of drought have California’s citrus growers concerned. Recent rain and increasing snowpack in the state’s mountains certainly bring relief, albeit at the expense of a slower start to harvest.

Growers are contending with weather and field conditions to harvest their in-demand crops. At the start of the new year, the industry was 26% harvested for the state’s navel crop – a considerably slower pace than historical norms. As logistics and transportation issues ease and with lower concerns regarding exchange rates, growers are itching to get their crops to market.

Read more on California’s citrus crop and recent weather trends here.