Crop Reports · October 2026 Edition · Oct 7

Harvest Winds Down as Growers Turn Toward Winter Prep

This month’s field reports point to a season moving into its final stretch. Almond and pistachio harvest is largely behind us, citrus growers are gearing up for whitewash season, and raisin and grape growers are watching the market as their own harvests wrap up. Here’s what our PCAs are seeing out in the fields.

  • Almonds: Harvest is wrapping up across the region — most growers have finished, with post-harvest work still underway for others. Improved almond prices have growers feeling more optimistic this fall. Earlier mite pressure has put dormant-season care on more growers’ radar, and this year’s reduced fog and chill hours are drawing extra attention to orchard sanitation ahead of winter.

  • Pistachios: Second shakes are finishing up, with processing plants wrapping their season by the end of the week. Yields have come in lighter than the recent average in many blocks, though crop insurance has helped keep grower outlook steady.

  • Citrus: Warm weather has pushed some spray work into overnight hours to avoid daytime heat. Whitewash planning is underway, with growers waiting for a good rain to clean trees before application. Most fertilizer programs for the season are wrapped up. Looking ahead, disease pressure is expected to pick up into late fall, alongside some minor nutrient needs.

  • Grapes: Harvest continues, with growers focused on fruit color and watching for mildew and rot pressure as the season winds down. Labor has been steady and production looks strong, though tight margins remain a challenge industry-wide.

  • Raisins: Harvest is largely complete, but the market stays soft, with pricing still uncertain. Overall grape supply remains elevated, continuing to pressure growers without existing contracts.

As we move into the cooler months, the focus shifts from harvest to preparation — winter sanitation, whitewash timing, and getting ahead of next season’s pressure points. Our team will keep monitoring conditions across all crops as fall turns into winter.

Questions about how this applies to your fields? Reach out to your GAR PCA, or call us at (559) 638-6311. Follow us on LinkedIn for the full report.