California 2017 forecast reduced by 2.5%

The latest processing tomato estimate released by the California Department of Food and Agriculture on August 29 reports that contracted production for California processing tomatoes is forecast at 11.5 million short tons (10.4 million metric tonnes), averaging 51.1 short tons per acre (114 MT/ha). The current forecasted production is 8 percent below the 2016 crop, and 2.5 percent below the May forecast. 

Spring rains brought relief from the drought but delayed planting. Harvest began in early July in the southern growing areas, which is about two weeks later than in 2016. The 2017 crop has experienced lower disease and pest pressures compared to last year. The overall crop has developed well so far with the early harvest reported to be of good quality. Potential concerns reported by the tomato growers were the delayed harvest and stress from triple digit heat waves. The projected harvested acreage of tomatoes is 225,000 acres (91,000 hectares), a decrease of 13% from 2016 and the lowest acreage since 1987. 

The shipping reports published by the Processing Tomato Advisory Board showed that shipments through August 19, 2017 were running 22 percent below those of 2016.