Hawaii · Orchard fruit
Typically early November to late April, with peak early December through late February.
Hatched chalk = early and late shoulders; solid = peak.
Ka'u district oranges from the Big Island fill island markets in winter; most store fruit still ships from California.
From early November — first pickings, lighter supply, best prices come later.
early December through late February — full stalls, full flavor. This is the stretch to plan around.
Through late April — quantity for preserving, and the stalls start dealing.
about 26 weeks end to end, shoulders included.
Winter grove picking — clip fruit with a short stem stub so the peel does not tear. The picking window tracks the band above: early trips get clean fields, peak (early December through late February) is the sure bet, late season is for quantity.
Farm-to-farm variation is real — up to two weeks either side of the typical window. Plan the trip, then call the farm before you drive.
Orange peak moves across the map. After this window, it lands next in:
In Hawaii, the orange season typically runs early November to late April, with peak availability early December through late February. Exact weeks shift a little with each year's weather.
Aim for peak: early December through late February. An early trip around early November gets first choice of clean fields; a late one is for jam-and-freezer quantity. Any single farm can run up to two weeks either side of the chart — call before you drive.
about 26 weeks end to end — early November to late April. The early and late shoulders are real but lighter; the solid stretch of chalk on the band is the sure bet.