2008 PBA Field Price Announcement

On September 16th, the PBA Board of Directors reviewed price offers and considered input from packers and growers regarding this year's market situation and the problems jeopardizing the viability of our industry. After due deliberation the Board made a decision to announce the PBA field price without a price agreement. The Board does not make this decision lightly. However, present circumstances require this action. Read more...

EDITORIALS, July 22, 2008

Only Four Dollars, by Neill Mitchell, Yuba City CA – PBA united forces with independent packers to elect a new Prune Board chairman and successfully blocked a proposed 10% increase in the assessment rate. Read more…

Chileans Should Pay for their Own Lunch, by Ken Lindauer, Red Bluff CA - Food for thought on promoting California prunes in a world increasingly concerned with food safety. Read more…

40 Years of Reducing Risk for Farmers

YUBA CITY, CA, April 25, 2008 - Members of the Prune Bargaining Association are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the founding of the organization. To mark the occasion members will hear from several speakers on how to prosper in a changing world and times of rapidly rising costs by reducing risk and using cooperative methods to improve grower returns. Read full text...

PBA Survey Measures Frost Damage to California Crop

The late season frost on April 20 impacted a wide area, although severe damage was limited to lower lying areas and cold pockets. Nearly 50 farmers, representing 8000 acres of prune trees, responded to a PBA crop survey conducted to determine the extent of crop damage. Read more…

State Forecast 120,000 Tons

The official state estimate forecasts a California prune crop of 120,000 tons, about 20,000 tons short of a normal crop. Earlier in the spring, favorable weather conditions during bloom boosted expectations for a good crop after last year’s meager harvest of 81,000 tons. Read more…

Prune Crop Up 40%, but Short of Normal

YUBA CITY, CA May 30, 2008 - Favorable weather conditions during bloom boosted expectations for a good crop after last year’s meager harvest for prune farmers. Unfortunately, a late season frost on April 20 caused some of the developing fruit to fall off. Recent crop survey results show that the impact of the frost was widespread, but severe damage was limited to lower lying areas and cold pockets. The Prune Bargaining Association (PBA) conducted the crop surveys to determine the extent of the damage. Read full text...