The California Department of Food and Agriculture is conducting a referendum vote among eligible avocado producers to determine whether the operation of the California Avocado Commission shall be reapproved and continue for another five-year period. The required referendum is conducted every five years, with the last vote taking place in 2021.
Each eligible producer will receive a ballot by mail and should return the ballot to the CDFA using the postage-paid return envelope that accompanies the ballot. Ballots must be postmarked or otherwise received by the CDFA no later than March 18, 2026.
Eligible producers are those who produce, or cause to be produced, avocados for market within the State of California and have an average annual production of 10,000 pounds or more during the three preceding marketing years.
For the Commission to be reapproved and continue operations for the next five years, a majority of eligible producers voting in the referendum must vote in favor of the continuance. A summary of the referendum results will be announced following tabulation of the ballots by the CDFA. If continuance is achieved, CAC will be authorized to continue in operation through October 31, 2031.
For questions regarding the referendum, contact Ben Kardokus of the CDFA Marketing Branch at 916.900.5018.