Late California Winegrape Harvest and Gas Prices Higher
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.**North Coast vineyards in California are preparing for a late winegrape harvest after a cold and overcast spring slowed fruit growth in the prized wine region.
Local growers say this could be the coolest start to a Napa Valley winegrape season in many years, with harvest by at least three weeks.
With a late harvest, growers must manage their grapes through fall months that bring the potential for damaging rains and wildfires.
**The nation's average gas price rose 7.8 cents last week to $3.79 per gallon, and DIESEL jumped 14.9 cents to $4.14 per gallon.
The increases follow the rise in oil prices and pressure from hot weather that impacted refineries.
However, GasBuddy’s Patrick De Haan says diesel will likely continue to see upward momentum while gasoline price increases should become more limited.
The price of crude oil has rallied for six straight weeks.
**Red meat buyers from Central and South America recently met with U.S. suppliers during the 11th U.S. Meat Export Federation Latin American Product Showcase in Columbia.
220 importers had the opportunity to meet U.S. suppliers and arrange purchases of a wide range of U.S. red meat products.
The value and versatility of underutilized pork, beef and lamb cuts were a focus during the showcase.