IRVINE, Calif. – California avocado season is getting underway, and the California Avocado Commission (CAC) has updated its production forecast to 327 million pounds for its fiscal year 2014-15. CAC also announced that Dr. Timothy Spann has returned to the Commission staff and now serves as research program director.
Spann, who has a Ph.D. in plant biology from University of California, Davis, served as CAC’s research project manager for two years before becoming an associate professor at Fresno State University. Previously he was an associate professor at the University of Florida in the horticultural sciences department.
“We’re very pleased to have Tim back on the Commission staff,” said CAC President Tom Bellamore. “He is leading production research activities that support California avocado grower productivity and contribute to delivering premium quality California avocados to the market year after year.”
The Commission reported a strong opening to California avocado season in support of select California retailers’ Big Game promotions. California avocado volume is expected to build into March with promotable volume beginning in April.
“Some crop damage due to cold weather did occur around the New Year, but its impact is expected to be less than five percent of total production,” said Bellamore. “We have been sampling the early season fruit and the appearance and flavor are outstanding.”
About the California Avocado Commission
Created in 1978, the California Avocado Commission strives to increase demand for California avocados through advertising, promotion and public relations, and engages in related industry activities that benefit the state’s nearly 5,000 avocado growers. The California Avocado Commission serves as the official information source for California avocados and the California avocado industry. For nutrition information and recipes visit CaliforniaAvocado.com, or join us on Facebook at Facebook.com/CaliforniaAvocados and @CA_Avocados on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for updates.
Source: California Avocado Commission