The California Cannery Association (CCPA) estimates that the total and per mu production of canned peaches in 2016 will decrease compared with the same period last year. Estimates made in early May showed that peach production this year was 282,585 tons (311,497 short tons), down 7% from 304,463 tons (335,613 short tons) last year. The average yield per unit is 17.3 tons/acre, which is 4% lower than last year's 18.1 tons/acre. Yuba/Sutter and Kingsburg were the most affected areas in terms of production areas. After deducting the estimated 12,000 tons of hail damage on May 5, the Association estimated the yield per unit area in Yuba/Sutter to be 17.2 tons/acre. "Golf-ball-sized hail destroyed about 2,000 acres of peaches in the orchard," CCPA's newsletter reported. Production in Kingsburg is expected to decrease by 5% to 17.6 tons/acre, while only Modesto is expected to increase by 4% to 17.5 tons/acre compared with last year. On the planting side, peach growing areas in California are sparsely planted, and many growers say the cost of sparse planting is rising. Planting 1,630 acres in 2016 is the largest since 2009.