Early stone fruit surge
California’s stone‑fruit season is kicking off about 10–14 days earlier than last year, bringing earlier peaches and nectarines to market this spring. At the same time, the state’s cherry crop looks larger and is arriving earlier after a tough 2025 harvest, according to industry reports. Those shifts widen the seasonal produce mix available to shoppers this week. ( )
California peaches and nectarines are reaching stores about 10 to 14 days earlier than last year, and California cherries are also moving up on the calendar. (freshplaza.com) Michael Thurlow of Mountain View Fruit Sales told FreshPlaza the state’s stone-fruit deal has early momentum, with orchard health looking strong as the first peaches and nectarines begin shipping. FreshPlaza also reported that nectarines are arriving first, with peaches close behind. (freshplaza.com) FreshPlaza reported on April 16 that some California growers expect peaches to start at the end of April or in early May, about six to 10 days ahead of last year, while nectarines typically follow about seven days later and plums about 10 days after nectarines. (freshplaza.com) California’s cherry crop also looks bigger than it did a year ago after a difficult 2025 season. AgNet West reported on April 16 that growers are preparing for a larger crop and an earlier start, with strong bloom and favorable spring weather supporting the rebound. (agnetwest.com) The California Cherry Board said this week that growers expect to harvest about 10.2 million boxes in 2026, with harvest starting in late April and peak volumes running from May 15 to June 6. Good Fruit Grower reported that estimate as the industry’s first formal crop outlook. (goodfruit.com) Chris Zanobini, executive director of the California Cherry Board, told The Packer that a March heat dome in the West pushed cherries toward their earliest start, with the season expected to begin in late April and wrap by the third week of May. He said growers do not expect production after Memorial Day. (thepacker.com) That earlier timing changes what produce buyers can put on shelves in April and May. Fresh Start Foods said in a market update last week that California apricots, peaches, nectarines and plums all look set for good quality, good size and a slightly earlier harvest than last year. (freshstartfoods.com) The season is not locked in yet. FreshPlaza reported on April 16 that growers are watching rain because wet weather can damage cherries by cracking the skin and can complicate picking schedules for both cherries and stone fruit. (freshplaza.com) For shoppers, the immediate effect is simple: California’s spring fruit mix is showing up sooner, with peaches, nectarines and cherries overlapping earlier than they did last year. (freshplaza.com, agnetwest.com)
