The California raisin-type grape forecast for 2015 is 2.00 million tons, up 13 percent from last year’s final production, according to the results of an objective measurement (O.M.) survey conducted in July by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

Bunches per vine totaled 43.4, NASS says, up 19 percent from the previous year’s bunch count of 36.5. 

Survey results estimate bearing acreage at 185,000 which pegs the yield at about 10.8 tons per acre.

This year, growers continued to face drought conditions and the lack of water availability.  However, despite the drought many growers reported they were managing water allocations this year more efficiently than in previous years. 

The Raisin Administrative Committee provided funding for the 2015 Raisin O.M. Survey. The survey is conducted with the cooperation of the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

The collection of objective measurement data on the California grape crop began in 1956.

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