Spring frost and hail has hampered blueberry production in California as harvests proceed, agricultural organizations are reporting.

The California Blueberry Commission estimates that farms will produce 55 million pounds of fresh berries this year -- down from an original estimate of 65 million pounds. The new estimate is about 20 million pounds lighter than the 2021 crop, the California Farm Bureau notes.

Related: Walnut growers battle blight, frost damage

The drop comes as growers in parts of Northern California told the Farm Bureau they suffered crop damage in a spring freeze.

Tree nut growers have also reported issues with frost. A walnut grower near Chico suffered widespread damage to foliage and crop and considered his fields a total loss, according to University of California Cooperative Extension farm advisor Luke Milliron.