It Has Begun : Migrant Fears of ICE Shuts Down Peak of CA Citrus Harvest
The impact of President-elect Donald Trump’s promise of mass deportation is already starting to show.
The California Farm Bureau says fears in the Central Valley have led to migrant farmworkers not showing up for work, which has virtually halted the area’s citrus harvest. Agriculture leaders in the Bay Area are worried about something similar happening locally and what it could mean for citrus prices.
It’s the peak of citrus harvest season in Kern County right now, but the industry is taking a hit after immigration agents conducted several operations last week, targeting undocumented immigrants with criminal records.
The state farm bureau reports that action made some agriculture workers too afraid to show up for work.
“We are certainly very concerned about what is happening and how that is unfolding,” Monterey County Farm Bureau Executive Director Norm Groot said.
Typical Crop / Harvest Availability Dates for Northern California
CROP MONTH
Asparagus March – June
Strawberries Apr.10 – July 30
Peas May 1 – September 30
Cherries (more detail) May 5 – June 25
Blueberries May 15 – July 30
Blackberries May 15 – July 30
Boysenberries May 15 – July 31
Apricots May 25 – July 10
Grapes May 25 – December . 15
Olallieberries June 1 to July 31
Tomatoes June 1 – September 30
Pears August 20 – September 30
Peaches June 20 – September 10
Plums June 15 – July 30
Green Beans June 15 – September 15
Nectarines June 15 – September 15
Corn June 25 – September 30
Raspberries July 1 – September 15
Apples July 25 – November 30
Okra July 15 – September 15
Almonds August 20 – December . 13
Figs September 05 – October 31
Walnuts September 25 – Jan. 10
Persimmons September 20 – October 31
Asian Pears September 10 – November 20
Oranges December to June, depends on the variety.
Naval oranges: November thru June
Mandarins: November thru April
Minneola: mid-February thru March
Cara Cara: mid-December thru March
other Citrus November to July
Avocados Year round
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