Deluge’s Effect on Supply, Prices of Fruits, Vegetables Is Variable : Apricots were hit hard and will be in short supply, but there is such a glut of strawberries that prices are in the basement.

One of the more ominous effects of the recent deluge is the damage to California’s heralded summer tree fruits.

Several of the storms hit during the vulnerable blooming and pollination period--wreaking extensive or moderate damage to some varieties and not harming others.

Apricots were the worst hit, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Close to 55% of the harvestable acreage--most of it in Central California--was either lost or damaged in the storms, said Emma Suarez, a department spokeswoman.

The losses portend summer shortages of the popular apricot, which hits the market briefly during June and part of July.

“California produces 90% of this country’s apricots,” Suarez said. The quality of this year’s fruit will suffer, but just what impact the shortages will have on prices remains to be seen, she said.

Pears also took a major hit. About 40% of the state’s pear production was affected. Here, too, supplies will suffer when the California harvest would normally be in full tilt, during August and September.

How did the ever-popular cherry make it through the torrent? “Cherries fared pretty well,” Suarez said. About 6% of this year’s crop was affected. If sunny skies continue to prevail, cherry lovers can expect good quality fruit, which is seasonally available for just a short period from late May to mid-June.

More good news: While the peach crop didn’t exactly make it through the storms unscathed, only 3% of the state’s harvestable acreage was either lost or damaged. Again, without another onslaught of heavy rain, expect good quality fruit and consistent supplies. The peach season begins in late May and continues through early September.

The total losses to the California agriculture industry--including fruits, vegetables, nuts and floral crops--is currently estimated at $666 million.

Will price increases persist as farmers try to recoup their losses?

Not necessarily, said Suarez.

“This is the hardest question to answer,” she said. “Whether this translates into sustained higher prices is just too hard to tell. The decisions to jack up prices will change from day to day. The farmer must ask, ‘How long can we expect consumers to pay the high prices?’ ”

Let’s take a brief look at the status of several fruits and vegetables now available at area markets. Price and supply information was provided by the Los Angeles-based Fresh Produce and Floral Council, an industry trade group.

* Artichokes: Prices are higher than usual for this time of year due to limited supplies caused by the heavy rains. Supplies are expected to taper off by the end of the month.

* Leaf lettuces and iceberg lettuce: Prices are at premium levels and are expected to persist through April. (California produces 80% of the nation’s lettuce crops, which were hard hit during the storms, Suarez said.)

* Broccoli: Prices have decreased slightly as supplies are beginning to recover.

* Cauliflower: Prices are beginning to creep up.

* Asparagus: Quality is marginal and prices are at premium levels.

* Celery: Supplies are good and prices are moderate.

* Bell peppers: Although prices are at a premium, shoppers may soon get some relief as California’s new crop is set to be harvested by the end of the month.

* Navel oranges and ruby red grapefruit: These two breakfast table and snack stalwarts continue to be among the best fresh fruit values.

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Here in Ventura County--which reported total losses estimated at $24 million--the hardest-hit crops include celery, leaf lettuces, spinach, flower stock and others.

As for the strawberry--one of the county’s richest and most-popular crops--the farmers’ picture is bleak, although excellent fruit is readily available.

After enduring extensive strawberry losses in January, growers enjoyed cautious optimism as their plants bounced back and began producing quality, near-regular yields. Indeed, the workhorse plants continue to produce--but the optimism has withered, only to be replaced by the sometimes dark realities of market economics.

“Right now the (strawberry) market is really in the tank,” said Ventura County Farm Bureau President Rex Laird. “There is too much fruit. I don’t think the growers are breaking even. The only thing sweet is the fruit itself.”

The glut of strawberries has caused wholesale prices to plummet, erasing any thought of growers making up for early losses, Laird said. And while growers had hoped for a strong market in the days leading up to the Easter holiday, pessimism is persisting.

“Unless it turns around, this is going to be one of their worst seasons in a while,” Laird said.

Strawberry lovers, keep your fingers crossed. From the grower’s standpoint, it makes no sense spending money to harvest the fruit if you’re only going to lose money trying to sell it.

“If the market doesn’t come back,” Laird cautioned, “you may see them cutting out the plants early.” (Ventura County’s strawberry season generally continues through late June/early July.)

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It’s official. The Thousand Oaks farmers’ market will soon be moving to a new home.

The popular market, held each Thursday at Village Square Shopping Center, will set up shop April 27 at The Oaks mall, said market manager Karen Wetzel. Watch for it on the parking lot near Bank of America and Nurseryland.

The move will also mark the start of summertime hours. The market will operate beginning April 27 from 4 to 7:30 p.m. (Currently, the market is open 3 to 6:30 p.m.).