News Summary
Ken Melban has been promoted to president of the California Avocado Commission, effective May 22, 2025. With over two decades of experience in the avocado industry, Melban’s leadership has led to significant advancements, including addressing challenges faced by growers and expanding export programs. As the industry anticipates a successful season, California’s avocado harvest is projected to increase, highlighting the importance of avocados to the state’s economy.
California – Ken Melban has been officially promoted to president of the California Avocado Commission (CAC), with his new role taking effect on May 22, 2025. Melban’s ascension within the organization marks a significant step in his longstanding career dedicated to the California avocado industry.
Melban joined the CAC in 2011, initially assuming the position of director of issues management. His steady rise through the ranks included a promotion to vice president in 2015, followed by his recent role as vice president of industry affairs and operations, which he has held since late 2023. In these capacities, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership, particularly in financial and administrative operations, as well as industry affairs programs.
Under Melban’s guidance, the CAC has made strides in addressing various challenges faced by avocado growers in California. His extensive knowledge of the avocado industry has fostered effective advocacy efforts on behalf of growers, including initiatives for post-fire recovery and measures to counteract the threat of harmful pests from imported avocados. He has also played a pivotal role in establishing Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for California avocados, enhancing the quality standards within the industry.
One of Melban’s significant achievements includes leading the expansion of California’s avocado export program, which saw the long-awaited access to the Chinese market achieved in 2020 after nearly a decade of negotiations. His 20-plus years of experience in produce leadership encompasses work with California commodity boards and the National Grape & Wine Initiative, combined with academic credentials that include a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in leadership and organizational studies from Fresno Pacific University.
Additionally, Melban has been actively involved in community service organizations and collaborations with the California Department of Food and Agriculture Climate Change Adaptation Consortium and the Ventura AG Futures Alliance, which further underscores his commitment to the industry and the agricultural community in California.
As the California avocado industry continues to grow, farmers are anticipating a successful upcoming season. For instance, Rick Shade from Shade Farms, which manages around 5,200 avocado trees, is looking forward to a near-record harvest for the 2026 season. Following last year’s production of approximately 250,000 pounds of avocados, Shade Farms expects an even larger yield this year as the trees reach maturity.
The CAC has projected a statewide avocado harvest of 375 million pounds for the current year, showing an increase from the 350 million pounds harvested the previous year. This boost in production can be attributed to increased tree planting—over the last decade, around 300,000 new avocado trees have been planted annually across California. Santa Barbara County, in particular, boasts about 5,700 acres dedicated to avocado farming, solidifying its position as the third-highest-grossing fruit and nut crop in the area.
While consumers are advised to select firm, hard avocados and ripen them at home for optimal taste, the CAC has opted not to comment on avocado pricing for the forthcoming year. The California avocado industry holds a substantial economic value of $1.5 billion, having produced over 363.6 million pounds of fruit during the 2023-2024 season, reflecting the vital role that avocados play in the state’s agricultural landscape.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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- Google Scholar: California Avocado Farming
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- KSBY: California Avocado Commission Predicts 375M Pounds of Fruit for the 2025 Season
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Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
