Wind Procedures 
California’s avocado groves are susceptible to winds, which are unfortunately common during the autumn and winter months. When wind blows fruit to the ground, state law allows the fruit to be picked up and sold if it meets California maturity standards and has not been damaged to the point of being unmarketable.

Steps to follow during a windfall include:

1. Survey the amount of fruit on the ground and contact your Index Fresh fieldman about market conditions and maturity release dates. Windfall markets have only existed in the past for the Hass variety.

2. With your fieldman, determine what sizes can be salvaged and whether economics justify picking up the fruit. If you decide to salvage sizes that are not released, preliminary maturity testing may be necessary. The California Avocado Inspection Service will determine how long fruit may be retrieved after a windfall event.

3. After the avocados are transported to the Index Fresh packinghouse, the Avocado Inspection Service will conduct maturity testing in the following manner if no sizes have been released:

• Avocados 6.25 ounces and larger will be given one test at no charge. Avocados smaller than 6.25 ounces will be given one test at a charge of $10.00 per test. This is paid to the Avocado Inspection Service.