California avocado growers optimistic about 2025 crop

California avocado growers aren’t counting their 2025 harvest before its time, but the current fruit set on avocado trees across multiple growing regions in the state is considerably higher this year than in previous years.

That leads many California growers to project the 2025 crop harvest may yield an increase in crop size compared to recent seasons, according to a news release from the California Avocado Commission.

Bountiful rains in the 2023 and 2024 seasons were partially responsible for a smaller-than-normal crop in 2023 and a delayed harvest in 2024, but these rains also contributed positively to soil and tree health, the release said.

“The commission is very enthusiastic about the possibility of larger crops in the near future,” California Avocado Commission Vice President of Marketing Terry Splane said. “However, we’re tempering that enthusiasm with caution, as many factors could positively or negatively affect the size of the 2025 California avocado crop, such as excessive heat, wind or frost. It’s just simply too early to know for sure.”

The optimistic outlook for the 2025 California avocado crop is due in part to significant grower investment into new plantings over the last decade, which are now coming into prime production. These new plantings occurred not just to replace older, less productive trees, but in some cases it was to replace trees that were lost to fires and other challenges, the release said.

Also, some growers have planted additional trees to increase their avocado acreage or because they are moving to a higher density planting model on existing acreage. This investment by California avocado growers is illustrated by the roughly 3 million new avocado trees in California from 2013 to 2023, averaging about 265,000 trees per year, the commission said.

In addition to planting new trees, California avocado farmers have invested in various avocado rootstocks and varieties. They continually implement operational improvements to secure better yields, and the overall average per-acre yield for California avocado groves has been increasing, according to the release.

To support next season’s harvest, the commission said it plans to expand the California avocado advertising program it launched in 2024, spotlighting the California difference and focusing on communication of locally grown and sustainably farmed.

To kick off planning with retailers, California Avocado Commission representatives will welcome customers and colleagues to their booth, No. B2538, at the International Fresh Produce Association Global Produce and Floral Show, set for Oct. 17-19 in Atlanta.

“Our team is looking forward to meeting with both loyal and prospective California avocado customers at the show to discuss next season’s increased crop and to get them energized for the customized retailer programs we can partner on with them,” Splane said. “Merchandising responsibly grown, premium California avocados in season benefits retailers and their shoppers.”