Grower-shippers are expecting abundant supplies of high-quality pumpkins this Halloween season.
Temperatures in California pumpkin growing regions have been in the 90s, which, while high, weren’t too high to hurt plants, said Ryan Van Groningen, sales manager for Van Groningen & Sons Inc., Manteca, Calif. Pollination was excellent, and growers have no concerns about mildew, he added.
Van Groningen said he expects average yields, but acreage in the Golden State could be down slightly this year, he said.
“Everyone came in to this season a little hesitant about the economy,” he said, citing the reason for a possible acreage decline.
Van Groningen & Sons began harvesting on a limited basis Aug. 24, but “we won’t really get going” until mid-September, Van Groningen said.
Jackson Melons Inc., Henderson, Texas, expects to begin shipping pumpkins from near Plains, Texas, by about mid-September, slightly earlier than usual, said Kevin Green, salesman.
Green reported a dry growing season and good quality and size profile, though high heat could keep some pumpkins from gaining size.
Capac, Mich.-based Mike Pirrone Produce Inc. began shipping Aug. 29 and will begin ramping up volumes in mid-September, said Joe Pirrone, president.
The company plans to harvest about 1,000 acres this year, up 100 from last year, Pirrone said. He reported a “bumper crop” with excellent quality and a good mix of sizes, with abundant supplies of 30-35-counts.
Jackson Melons expects to sell pumpkins harvested on about 200 acres this season, Green said. The company’s acreage has varied between about 180 and 240 in recent years, he said.
Green said expects good demand and a continuation of the stronger markets of recent years, with per-bin prices likely in the $90 range.
“We had had the same price for years, but the last couple of years we’ve finally got it up to where it needs to be,” he said.
While Van Groningen said there’s a risk of growers slashing prices late in the deal to move product, he was optimistic that prices would remain steady and similar to last year’s levels. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in mid-Sept. last year, bins of Virginia pumpkins were $90-$110.
Pumpkin prices would likely be a little higher this year to reflect the higher costs paid by growers for fertilizers and other inputs, Pirrone said.