Pomegranate Season: When Are Pomegranates in Season? (Month-by-Month Guide)

Last updated: October 25, 2026

You see pomegranates piled up at the store in the fall. Then they vanish for a while. A few months later, you spot a few again and wonder if they are any good.

So when is pomegranate season, really? And what do you do when you want a pomegranate in the middle of spring?

This guide gives you simple answers. You will learn which months are best, when the season ends, and how it works in the USA, Europe, and other places. You will also learn how to find fresh pomegranates near you and how to buy them at their peak. The timing varies by region: some dates are general, while others come from industry reviews, government sources, or grower reports.

Quick answer: In the Northern Hemisphere, pomegranate season runs from about September to February, and the best selection is usually from October through January. In the Southern Hemisphere, it runs from about March to May. India harvests nearly all year, so you can sometimes find fruit outside these months.

Key Takeaways:

• Northern Hemisphere season: about September to February, according to Wikipedia.
• Southern Hemisphere season: about March to May.
• In the USA: the USDA lists pomegranates as a fall and winter fruit. The FruitGuys says the 2026 California season runs from September through December.
• Why it is a fall fruit: the fruit takes about 5 to 7 months after the tree blooms to ripen, per the California Rare Fruit Growers.
• Out of season: you can still find imported fruit, stored fruit, and packaged seeds.

What Month Is Pomegranate Season?

Short answer: About September to February in the Northern Hemisphere, and about March to May in the Southern Hemisphere.

For most shoppers in North America and Europe, the sweet spot is October through January. That is a rule of thumb, based on harvest timing and how long fresh fruit stays good in stores. It is a general guide, not a country-specific harvest calendar.

Why does the season fall in autumn? Pomegranate fruit needs about 5 to 7 months after the tree blooms to ripen, according to the California Rare Fruit Growers. They also say the fruit needs high temperatures to develop its best flavor. So the fruit is ready when summer heat has done its work.

Which Countries Are Harvesting Each Month?

Here is a simple calendar. It shows which countries harvest pomegranates each month. I compiled it from a 2019 industry review (Kahramanoglu, 2019, as listed in an ICRIER trade paper) and from Indian state data (APEDA, 2023).

How to read it: October and November are the busiest months. Many countries harvest at once, so stores are full of pomegranates then. In midsummer, India is the main source in this review.

A note on this table: The same review lists China, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, and Italy as growing pomegranates year-round, so I left them out to keep the calendar clear. Harvest windows also shift each year with the weather. For example, the 2019 review lists the USA from September to November, but according to The FruitGuys, California growers started in late August in 2026.

When Does Pomegranate Season End?

Short answer: In the Northern Hemisphere, the season ends around February. But harvest ends earlier, and stored fruit keeps stores stocked into winter.

Here is how it plays out:

• Harvest ends first. In the table above, Spain and Egypt finish by November, and Turkey, Israel, and Tunisia finish by December. California’s season runs through December, according to The FruitGuys (2026). Iran runs through February.
• Stored fruit fills the gap. A whole pomegranate keeps well. You can find it in stores for weeks after harvest ends. The USDA says it can be stored in the fridge for up to two months. See our guide on how to store pomegranate.
• Then a new season starts. The Southern Hemisphere harvests from March to May, and in some countries to June. India is harvesting all year.

Do not wait too long if you grow your own. The California Rare Fruit Growers warn that overripe fruit tends to crack open, especially after rain. Pick it on time.

Pomegranate Season in the USA:

Short answer: Fall and winter. In 2026, the California harvest started in late August, and stores have fruit into winter.

The USDA’s seasonal produce guide lists pomegranates as a fall and winter fruit. The 2019 industry review above puts the U.S. harvest from September to November, but the 2026 season started earlier.

California leads the U.S. in pomegranate production. The FruitGuys, a fruit delivery company, says California grows 99% of America’s pomegranates and that the season runs from September through December. It reports that the 2026 harvest began in late August with the Early Wonderful variety, followed by Wonderful in mid-September.

Dates move from year to year. A 2019 report in The Produce News described harvest beginning in early October and continuing until late November or until heavy rain. The weather decides the exact dates.

Most U.S. pomegranates are one variety, called Wonderful. A University of California article says it makes up over 90 percent of U.S. commercial production. Learn about the others in our guide to pomegranate varieties.

Pomegranate Season in New York and New Jersey:

Short answer: The same as the rest of the USA: fall and winter, with the best selection from about October through January.

I could not find a source that gives separate season dates for New York or New Jersey, so here is what we can say with confidence:

• The USDA lists pomegranates as a fall and winter fruit, and that applies to all states.
• Pomegranates love warm weather. The California Rare Fruit Growers say the tree can grow outdoors as far north as southern Utah and Washington, D.C., but it seldom sets fruit there.
• So the pomegranates in New York and New Jersey stores are most likely shipped in from warmer places, such as California.

What to do: Shop in fall and early winter for the best choice. Farmers markets may have a few, but do not count on local fruit. Plenty of grocery stores and ethnic markets stock them in season.

Pomegranate Season in Canada:

Short answer: Mostly fall. One seasonal-produce site estimates August to November, peaking in September and October.

The site InSeason says pomegranates are in season in Canada from August to November, peaking in September and October. It calls this “an estimate based on typical climate conditions and cultivation patterns.” It also says there is no commercial pomegranate growing on record in Canada. That means the fruit in Canadian stores is imported, and the timing follows the harvest in growing countries. Fall is still the best time to shop.

Pomegranate Season in Europe:

Short answer: Mostly autumn. In Spain, the main window is September to November.

Spain is the main European grower, based on the sources I found. The industry review lists its season as September to November. A FreshPlaza report from October 2, 2026, says this year’s harvest was expected to begin in the second week of October, with growers expecting 40,000 to 50,000 tons if the weather cooperates. The report names the Mollar and Wonderful varieties.

Nearby countries harvest in the same months. In the industry review, Turkey, Israel, and Tunisia harvest from October to December, and Egypt from September to November.

Pomegranate Season Around the World:

The season depends on where the fruit is grown. Here are the big patterns from the same sources:

• India: Harvest happens nearly all year. Maharashtra and Gujarat are listed as round-the-year, Andhra Pradesh as March to June, and Rajasthan as June to August (APEDA, 2023). The ICRIER paper says India has three crop cycles, called bahars (Ambe, Mrig, and Hasta). Bhagwa is the leading variety there.
• Iran: October to February.
• Southern Hemisphere: Argentina, Peru, and Australia harvest from March to June. South Africa harvests March to May.

This is why the “season” depends on where you live and where your fruit comes from.

Why Can You Find Pomegranates Outside the Season?

You may spot pomegranates in spring or summer. Here is why:

1. Imports from the other half of the world. When spring arrives in the Northern Hemisphere, it is harvest time in Argentina, Peru, Australia, and South Africa.
2. India’s long harvest. With three crop cycles, Indian fruit is available for much of the year.
3. Storage. Whole pomegranates keep for weeks in the fridge, so fall fruit can still be on shelves in winter.
4. Packaged and frozen seeds. Many stores sell ready-to-eat pomegranate seeds all year.

Fruit that travels far may not be as fresh, so check it carefully. Read our guide on how to see if a pomegranate is ripe.

Pomegranate Near Me: How to Find Fresh Pomegranates:

I cannot see your location, so I cannot name stores near you. But here is how to find pomegranates fast:

1. Check the produce section of grocery stores. In fall and winter, most carry them.
2. Try farmers’ markets. Ask growers what variety they have.
3. Visit specialty markets. Middle Eastern, South Asian, Latin, and Asian grocers often have a wider selection.
4. Use store apps or websites. Search for “pomegranate” and check stock before you go. Delivery and pickup services work too.
5. Ask the produce manager. They know when the next shipment arrives.
6. Look for packaged or frozen seeds if whole fruit is out of season.

Fall and early winter give you the best odds and the best choice.

How to Buy Pomegranates at Their Peak:

• Shop from October to January for the best selection.
• Pick heavy fruit. The USDA recommends choosing pomegranates that are plump, round, and heavy for their size.
• Check the skin. It should be firm and tight, with no mold or wet spots.
• Know your variety. Varieties ripen at different times. According to the California Rare Fruit Growers, Early Wonderful ripens about two weeks before Wonderful, and Granada ripens earlier still.
• Use our checklist. Our guide on how to see if a pomegranate is ripe has a ripening chart and a buying guide. Once you bring it home, learn how to cut a pomegranate without the mess.

Pomegranate Season in Stardew Valley:

Are you here for the game? In Stardew Valley, pomegranates are a fall crop. According to the Stardew Valley Wiki, a pomegranate tree takes 28 days to mature. Once it is mature, it produces one pomegranate per day during fall.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pomegranate Season:

What month is pomegranate season?

In the Northern Hemisphere, pomegranate season runs from about September to February, and most stores have the best selection from about October through January. In the Southern Hemisphere, it runs from about March to May. India harvests nearly year-round, so fruit can show up in other months, too.

When does pomegranate season end?

In the Northern Hemisphere, the season ends around February. Harvest finishes earlier: California’s season runs through December, according to The FruitGuys, and stored fruit stays in stores into winter. After that, fruit from the Southern Hemisphere, where harvest runs from March to May, and from India may fill the gap.

Are pomegranates in season in December?

Yes. December is within the Northern Hemisphere season, which runs from about September to February. California’s season runs through December, and Iran, Turkey, Israel, and Tunisia are still harvesting then, according to a 2019 industry review. Fruit is easy to find in stores.

Are pomegranates in season in summer?

Not in the Northern Hemisphere, where the season is fall and winter. But summer fruit may still be on sale. India harvests nearly all year, and Rajasthan’s window runs from June to August, according to 2023 APEDA data. You can also find stored fruit and packaged seeds.

When is pomegranate season in the USA?

The USDA lists pomegranates as a fall-and-winter fruit. California grows most U.S. pomegranates, and The FruitGuys says its 2026 season runs from September through December, with harvest starting in late August. Harvest dates shift a little each year, and stores often sell fruit into winter.

When is pomegranate season in New York and New Jersey?

It follows the national fall-to-winter season, so the best time to buy is roughly October through January. The Northeast isn’t a major growing region, so store-bought fruit is most likely shipped in from warmer places like California. Check farmers’ markets, but expect few local pomegranates.

When is pomegranate season in Europe?

Spain’s main window runs from September to November, and the 2026 harvest is expected to start in the second week of October, with a forecast of 40,000 to 50,000 tons. Nearby countries such as Turkey, Israel, and Tunisia harvest from October to December, and Egypt from September to November.

How do I find pomegranates near me?

Check the produce section of grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and Middle Eastern, South Asian, Latin, and Asian markets. Use store apps or websites to check stock. Fall and winter are best. Out of season, look for packaged or frozen pomegranate seeds.

What is pomegranate season in Stardew Valley?

Pomegranates are a fall crop in Stardew Valley. A pomegranate tree needs 28 days to mature, then makes one pomegranate each day during fall, according to the Stardew Valley Wiki.

Final Thoughts: Plan Around Pomegranate Season:

Pomegranate season is simple once you know the pattern. In the Northern Hemisphere, think fall and winter, and aim for October through January. In the Southern Hemisphere, think March to May. And if you see fruit outside those months, it likely traveled from another part of the world or came out of storage.

Mark your calendar for October, grab a few heavy, firm pomegranates, and enjoy them while they are at their best.

Want to know more about this fruit? Read our full pomegranate fruit guide for types, nutrition, and ways to enjoy it.

Sources: Wikipedia: Pomegranate · · California Rare Fruit Growers · ICRIER: Strategies to Boost India’s Pomegranate Exports · The FruitGuys (October 2026) · · The Produce News (2019) · FreshPlaza (October 2, 2026) · Stardew Valley Wiki