Once cautioned against as fattening, new research indicates that pistachios are actually a superfood. Studies have shown the nut helps in lowering triglycerides and curbing appetite. Dr. Nikhil Dhurandhar from Texas Tech and Amber Wilson with American Pistachio Growers spoke recently with Matthew Malcolm from California Ag Network to go over these recent findings. Watch this quick interview and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
Category: Pistachios
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Steve Hilton Looks to Be a Voice for Growers
California Gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton has been spending time in the Central Valley getting familiar the ag industry. He identified regulations in water access and labor and environmental restrictions as some of the key challenges he wishes to address. Hilton spoke with Matthew Malcolm from California Ag Network to discuss the key takeaways from his time meeting with growers and producers. Watch this quick video and read more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
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American Pistachio Growers Announces 2026-27 LeadOn Class
American Pistachio Growers (APG) recently announced its 16th LeadOn pistachio industry leadership class. Training motivated individuals with vested interest in the success and future of the U.S. pistachio industry, APG has developed this program to prepare the next generation of pistachio industry leaders.
Jeff Anderson of Meridian Growers serves as the Chair of the LeadOn Committee and shared his enthusiasm for the program. “I believe that this course is going to play a more important role for APG moving forward,” he shared. “Our purpose is to develop the next generation of APG leaders and introduce them to the inner workings of our brand. Also, the support team is second to none, and I look forward to the future of the program. I think we have an excellent class this year.”
And the plan is working. A number of young LeadOn graduates are now serving as directors on the APG Board.
Interest in this leadership program has grown tremendously over the years, with the largest class ever having graduated in February 2025. In order to refine the course and experience, the LeadOn committee determined to make some changes to the program effective last year. “We capped the class at 18 and will remain that size going forward,” Anderson explained. “We like the smaller and more intimate class size. Another change is a grading system for each application to make it a little more competitive. I’m very excited for what’s to come!”
This year’s LeadOn cohort includes:
DJ Ellsworth, Meridian Growers
Jeremy Nugent, Oro Vista Farms, LLC
Madeline Bollengier, Sharon Naraghi Farms
Michael Brady, Setton Farms
Matthew Mattos, Terra West Group/Mattos & Sons
Lindsey Herman, Primex Farms
Anthony Jacobo, L&P Pistachio LLC
Todd Azevedo, Stone Land Company
Matthew Cardoso, Horizon Nut Company
Adam Collins, Peacock Nut Co.
Henry Woolf, Mike Woolf Farming, LLC
Richard Searle, Cochise Groves
Mando Perez, Semios
Krista Tavares, Syngenta
Valentin Medina, Fuerza Harvesting
April Taffera, Vestaron Crop Protection
Joseph Brewer, G3 Enterprises
Expected to graduate at APG’s 2027 annual Pistachio Industry Conference, this 2026-27 class will meet each month covering topics ranging from pistachio production and processing to marketing, food safety to government relations and advocacy, etc… Learn more about this year’s cohort in the coming issues of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine. The monthly “LeadOn Spotlight” column will highlight each of the class members and their commitment to the future of the pistachio industry, as directed by Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm, an alumni of the program who serves on the LeadOn Committee. Subscribe to receive the monthly publication HERE.
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10 Tips for Marketing in India
Sumit Saran of SS Associates — American Pistachio Growers’ liaison in India — shared insights on how to market successfully in India at APG’s recent annual conference. He pointed out that “India is not easy – it’s very diverse economically and culturally.”
For instance, on the left side of a money bill, the amount is written in 14 languages. Most Indians cannot read more than two of them.
Besides cultural diversity, India has economic and marketing diversity — from traditional street markets to upscale, modern grocery stores. The rich and poor co-exist. Saran described that “India has no artificial corridors of existence. Both poverty and wealth are everywhere.”
What unites India is a common aspiration for better health, nutrition and education, to create a better tomorrow. To achieve that, Indians are open to change, as shown in their recent transition to smaller family sizes.
So far, though, India still has a young population. About 60% of its people are under age 35, compared to only 34% in that range in the U.S. The total population is 1.4 billion. Together, Indians have a strong economy that is resilient to global turmoil. People are highly connected and willing to spend, so new products can gain popularity due to a ripple effect even without promotions. In spite of some anti-import voices, imported foods have gone from niche to mainstream.
Retail is also changing rapidly, especially the addition of “quick commerce” in which products arrive by motorcycle within 10 minutes of ordering. Already underway in 300 cities, this year 55,000 metric tons were sold this way. Saran was pleased to see that when he ordered coffee and pistachios by quick commerce, the pistachios arrived first.
Saran provided 10 simple mantras for discovering the pot of gold in India:
- Troubles will not go away, so accept them.
- India is on the move. A new product may be slow to start but become unstoppable.
- There is always room in India.
- Indians are not necessarily price conscious, but they are value conscious — perfect for pistachios.
- Define your niche in India and then target it.
- Establish partnerships.
- Don’t let one bad experience ruin the whole bunch.
- It’s not just about the investment — it’s about involvement.
- Have a long-term plan. Remember that bamboo stays at four inches in height for four years, but in its fifth year it grows six feet per day.
- Myths and realities are different. “Indians are bad payers” — false. “The cold chain is lacking” — false. “Retail is lacking” — false. “It’s too far away” — false; it is just an overnight plane ride. “It’s too hot and the traffic is bad” — this is true.
Pistachio marketing has a big boost from India’s top cricket player, Jasprit Bumrah, who is promoting pistachios to his 20 million social media followers as well as on signs and on TV. He exemplifies the India that is young and interested in premium nutrition.
Saran surmised, “The demand is rising — we can create something lasting.” — By Nancy Power, Assistant Editor
Star cricket player Jasprit Bumrah is promoting pistachios in India. Photo contributed by SS Associates -
Pistachio Demand Skyrockets in India
Demand for pistachios is so high in India that American growers are having a hard time keeping up. This is facilitated in part by the viral rise of Dubai chocolate, while a new trade agreement with the United States could unlock new opportunities. At the annual American Pistachio Growers Conference, Matthew Malcolm from California Ag Network spoke with APG India In-Market Representative Sumit Saran to go over these developments. Watch this quick video and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Kingman Ag for their industry support.
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Lower Global Harvest Benefits American Pistachios
Pistachio growers are having a hard time keeping up with skyrocketing global demands despite a record crop, but down years in Iran and Turkey may keep buyers from going elsewhere. Meanwhile, American Pistachio Growers has seen unprecedented opportunities for marketing and exports. At the annual APG Conference, Vice President of Global Marketing Scott Fryer discussed these latest developments with Matthew Malcolm from Pacific Nut Producer. Watch this quick interview and read more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.Please thank this video’s sponsor Kingman Ag for their industry support.
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Surging Pistachio Demand Outpaces Supply
The pistachio industry is seeing unprecedented success, but there are still headwinds to look out for as high demand means that growers and processors alike are having a hard time keeping up with the consumers. At the American Pistachio Growers Conference, President and CEO Zachary Fraser urged everyone to stay “humble and hungry” as they meet any upcoming challenges head-on. Fraser spoke with Matthew Malcolm with California Ag Network to talk about what’s new in the pistachio industry, and what to expect moving forward. Watch this video and read more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine. (Editors Note: Since the filming of this interview, Zachary Fraser has departed from American Pistachio Growers.)Please thank this video’s sponsor Kingman Ag for their industry support.
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UC ANR Offers Microirrigation School
In a time of increasing water scarcity and regulatory complexity, enhancing irrigation efficiency and improving on-farm water management practices are critical for California agriculture. Microirrigation – using highly efficient, low-flow and low-pressure systems that deliver water and nutrients close to plants’ roots – is one key solution.
“Microirrigation is no longer optional in many agricultural production regions worldwide,” said Daniele Zaccaria, professor of agricultural water management for Cooperative Extension at University of California, Davis. “It is essential for producing more food per unit of water and for achieving higher fertilizer use efficiency, relying on greater application precision and pursuing improved environmental stewardship.”
Zaccaria is organizing the 2026 Advanced School on Microirrigation for Crop Production, offered in California for the first time, from March 30 to April 3 (register by March 25).
This comprehensive program combines three days of classroom instruction at UC Davis with two days of field visits, including fruit and nut production systems in the San Joaquin Valley and vegetable, berry and wine-grape systems along the Central Coast. There is also an online option for the first three days of the program.
The school is designed for a broad audience, including farmers and ranch managers, crop consultants, water resource planners and irrigation practitioners, as well as scientists, educators, students, and personnel from a variety of agencies and sectors.
“This offers a unique, hands-on opportunity to learn directly from global leaders in the field, combining cutting-edge science, real-world applications and field experience,” Zaccaria said. “It’s an excellent investment of time for anyone committed to the future of crop production in semi-arid and arid environments.”
The educational event is co‑organized by the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Chilean Water Technology Consortium and the California Irrigation Institute.
Lectures – presented by prominent experts from UC Davis, UC Cooperative Extension and other academic, agency and private partners – will draw on the latest research, technologies and practical applications.
Topics include:
- Technical aspects of water delivery systems to allow for successful adoption and management of microirrigation systems
- Soil-water movement and soil-plant-water relations with microirrigation
- Microirrigation systems design, operation, maintenance, automation and performance evaluation
- Methods and tools for microirrigation scheduling
- Managing microirrigation for different crops (field and agronomic crops, vegetable crops, berry crops, fruit crops, nut crops, vineyards)
- Chemigation and fertigation
- Salinity management with microirrigation
All participants will receive:
- A UC Certificate of Completion
- A copy of the book Microirrigation for Crop Production, recently published by Elsevier
- Continuing Education Units (18.5 CEUs for lectures and 9.5 CEUs for field visits) from the American Society of Agronomy, as well as CEU credits from the Irrigation Association
Register soon to secure your spot, as class size is limited to 100 participants to ensure an optimal learning environment.
For the full program schedule, speaker lineup and a link to register, visit https://caii.org/international-micro-irrigation-school/.
Registration for the online option is at: https://caii.org/product/micro-irrigation-school-lectures-remote-streaming-registration/.
Zaccaria’s work in organizing the Microirrigation School is made possible by his Alexander and Elizabeth Swantz Endowed Specialist Position and related funds from the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources brings UC information and practices to all 58 California counties. Through research and Cooperative Extension in agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, economic and youth development, our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians. Learn more at ucanr.edu.
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Land Tax Dispute
Growers in Cochise County, Arizona are fighting back against a proposed tax increase on land used for permanent crops like pistachios, pecans and wine grapes. Growers like John Heuler have fought back and won in tax and appeals courts, but the county is taking the dispute to the State Supreme Court. At the American Pistachio Growers’ Annual Conference, Heuler spoke with Matthew Malcolm from Malcolm Media Ag Publishing to go over the latest details. Watch this quick video and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.Please thank this video’s sponsor Kingman Ag for their industry support.