See the latest Fruit and Tree Nuts Outlook report.
Fruit Production Forecasts in 2026
Warmer-than-average spring temperatures accelerated crop development across California’s major fruit-producing regions, prompting earlier-than-usual harvests for cherry, peach, table grape, strawberry, and watermelon. The effect of this year’s early start differs depending on the fruit. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), California stone fruit production forecasts for 2026 are mixed. Sweet cherry growers in the Golden State experienced both an early start and finish to the season, with production projected to be 24 percent higher than last year. Peach harvest is ongoing, with California freestone production expected to edge slightly below 2025 levels (down 3 percent) but remain 12 percent above the previous 3-year average. Clingstone peach production is projected to fall 20 percent amid declining acreage and processing demand. Meanwhile, California’s apricot crop is expected to remain steady, unchanged from last season.
