Organic Fruit Production More Difficult than Row Crops

(The Packer - May 3, 2004)

Fruit and nut growers, both conventional and organic, make a larger investment in crop inputs, time, and long-term labor than vegetable growers.  For example, after planting, citrus and peach trees may not come into commercial bearing for three to five years, with larger trees like pecan taking seven to 10 years. Many vegetable crops are harvested within 30 to 120 days after planting compared with fruit crops that may need much longer to mature. Many citrus varieties bloom in Florida during March-April and are harvested before December, but the main Florida orange processed for juice, Valencia oranges, bloom during March-April but may not be harvested the following summer, 15 to 18 months after initial bloom.

Olson Family Farms in Kingsburg, California, grows several varieties of peaches, plums, nectarines, pluots (a cross between peaches and apricots), and apricots on about 700 organic acres in central California. They carefully select the cultivars they grow to provide a consistent fruit supply from May to September. At the retail level, individual organic fruit is frequently packaged and labeled with a Universal Product Code so the cashier records the correct price, usually higher than conventionally grown fruit. Retailers are often reluctant to offer bulk organic fruit because possible misidentification of organic fruit at the checkout counter. Other options include a four-count clamshell container that offers a better view of the fruit and is easy to scan correctly at the checkout counter.