"you will see that nationwide in cost of oranges and maybe avocados,"

And in orange juice. Went shopping this evening and it's up about 25% since last weeks shopping.

"but it is exceptionally dry here...not a normal El Nino year in SOCAL for sure."

I've not heard this being an El Nino year. But yes, it's unusual, but not unprecedented. I've lived here in SoCal most of my life and I recall weather like this several times before. Seems to happen every few years, at least once a decade.

Brian