Industry

In partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the CCOF Foundation provides grants, mentorship and technical assistance to growers making the transition to organic production. The $10,000 grants are awarded annually for three years to assist producers as they wait the three years before achieving organic certification. 

Beginning with the 2025 crop year, organic California avocado growers will have expanded crop insurance options. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency will now allow Enterprise Units for California avocados and will allow non-contiguous parcels of land that qualify for optional units to also qualify for Enterprise Units.

On June 26, 2024, the California Avocado Commission released a statement regarding the U.S./Mexico Operational Work Plan allowing Hass avocados from the Mexican states of Michoacan and Jalisco to be exported to the U.S. Under the current OWP, the inspections are conducted by Mexican personnel employed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Nominations are now being accepted for growers to serve on county committees for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency. These committees play an important role in making decisions about how federal farm programs are administered at the local level. Committee members serve three-year terms.

On May 22, the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Avocado Inspection Program announced the Reed avocado release dates for the 2024/2025 season.

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation has approved the herbicide Rely® 280 (glufosinate-ammonium) for use in avocado groves in California. Rely® 280 is a post-emergence broad-spectrum herbicide for use against broadleaf and grassy weeds. Glufosinate-ammonium is an excellent alternative to glyphosate, especially for those weeds that have developed glyphosate resistance. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has compiled a Risk Management Document concerning the potential decision to permit the importation of avocados from Guatemala, a region known for the prevalence of the avocado seed weevil. California avocado growers are encouraged to submit comments or letters and submit them to the USDA.

The California Avocado Commission’s Board of Directors currently has a Producer Member seat available for District 2. The appointee will fill the vacant seat for the remainder of the unexpired term through October 31, 2024.

The Commission’s Board of Directors currently has a Handler Member and Handler Alternate Member seat available. Appointees will fill the vacant seats for the remainder of their unexpired terms: October 31, 2024 for the Member seat and October 31, 2025 for the Alternate Member.