Industry

CAC encourages members of the California avocado industry to attend the upcoming CAC 2025 Annual Meetings that will be held in March at three different locations within California avocado growing regions.

The Hass Avocado Board seeks to strengthen the global avocado industry by maintaining and developing demand within the U.S. market. HAB provides supply and market data, conducts nutrition research, educates health professionals and brings industry leaders together to make avocados America’s most popular fruit.

The Specialty Crop Ag Workforce Development Program is conducting an employer survey to better understand the workforce needs in agricultural production, processing and support services while identifying current gaps in workforce skills and education. Data will be used to shape workforce training programs.

The CDFA is launching an agricultural workforce survey for the specialty crop industry to determine employer needs. Recognizing that ag industry jobs and careers are adopting more technologies and require new skills, the Specialty Crop Ag Workforce Development Program has developed this survey to identify workplace trends and necessary job skills.

The Hass Avocado Board is currently accepting applications for its Board Leadership Development program. This year-long program provides leadership training that helps participants become effective industry advocates and prepare to serve on boards within the avocado and agricultural sector. 

CAC is calling on growers to sign a petition urging the USDA to fully restore its inspection of avocados from Mexico. Since USDA unilaterally downgraded its inspection obligations by shifting orchard inspections to Mexico, detections of stem and seed weevils in packing facilities increased with APHIS acknowledging “the number of recent interceptions is notable given the infrequency of such interceptions over the history of the program.”

The California Avocado Commission’s pre-season crop estimate survey has been completed. The data have been compiled into the CAC Pre-season Crop Estimate and Harvest Projections report, which is now available online. The report is based on survey responses submitted in late December/early January from eight AMRIC handlers.

The 2024 Crop Report Questionnaire for San Diego County will be mailed to growers in early January. California avocado growers in this region are encouraged to complete the form as it provides important data for the San Diego Crop Statistics and Annual Report. Crop data collected include crops grown, yield and gross value.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency’s Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops program is accepting applications from December 10, 2024 through January 8, 2025. An informative webinar is being hosted December 10.