Pacific Nut Producer Magazine

Category: Non-Video

  • Building on a Strong Foundation

    –Sponsored Content–

    Strong roots are a pivotal part of successful farming, regardless of the crop or growing region.

    Rootex® and Rootex® Flowable provide unique benefits in this area. Not only does this technology help drive lateral root development and mass, Rootex is also designed to overcome one of the biggest nutrient challenges that exists in agriculture- phosphorus tie-up in the soil.

    Redox Owner, Founder and CEO Darin Moon said Rootex has an organic molecule package that alleviates tie up, making phosphorus markedly more efficient. He added its amino acid package is what boosts lateral root branching.

    The results benefit yield and quality in the immediate and long term.

    “For 50 years, we’ve all bought into the concept of building your soil,” Moon said. “The reality is that approach is more expensive than it has ever been. That math doesn’t add up. Considering the current economic conditions, it makes sense to take some of the phosphorus out of the soil that growers have been putting in and metabolize it. Rootex is a catalyst in this area.”

    Rootex contains Redox Active Molecules (RAM), which maintain electrical balance in plants, keeping nutrients in plant available form for improved uptake.

    Additionally, this product is designed with a low salt load, supporting overall soil health. It also strengthens the soil-root connection, ensuring more effective nutrient delivery to the plant.

    Rootex has one of the longest track records with Redox, with more than two decades of success in commercial farms throughout the United States.

    Like the entire Redox product line, growers can do more with less through Rootex. Application rates range from ¼ to 1 ½ gallons per acre for Rootex Flowable to one to six pounds per acre for the dry technology.

    Redox Bio-Nutrients is a family owned and operated business based in Burley, Idaho.  Products involve carefully sourced nutrients combined with biostimulants that help with nutrient uptake, abiotic stress defense, root growth and soil health. Redox is the only company in the world with multiple certified biostimulants through rigorous independent analysis from The Fertilizer Institute.

    Find out more about what Rootex can do for your crops, here: https://www.redoxgrows.com/product/rootex/

  • Bearing Almond Acreage Drops for First Time in Decades

    California’s bearing almond acreage decreased over the past year — the first drop in 30 years — according to Land IQ’s 2026 Standing Acreage Initial Estimate as bearing acreage stabilizes.

    Initial 2026 bearing acreage is estimated at 1,385,870 acres, compared to the 2025 Land IQ Standing Acreage Final Estimate of 1,401,097 million bearing acres. This reflects a decrease of 15,227 bearing acres over the past year.

    Land IQ’s recent Initial Estimate does not include total almond acreage. It looked at bearing acreage, specifically orchards planted before 2024 that have matured enough to produce a crop for the coming 2026 harvest. Land IQ’s final report on total acreage and non-bearing acres — including newer plantings not mature enough to produce almonds for commercial consumption — will come out in November.

    In addition, Land IQ estimated 47,588 acres of orchard removals, adding to the nearly 49,197 acres removed in the 2024-25 crop year.

    The drop in bearing acres is due to orchard removals and a slowdown in new plantings. This comes on the heels of Land IQ’s report in 2025 that found that California’s total almond acreage had dropped four years in a row to 1.52 million acres.

    “While we’re seeing stabilization in bearing acreage, global demand remains strong and is the foundation of our industry,” said ABC President and CEO Clarice Turner. “Continued, strategic investment in market development is essential to supporting long-term growth and to position California almonds for the future.”

    The Land IQ report is a snapshot of the coming 2026 harvest but does not offer an estimate on the actual almond production for the 2026-27 crop year. A production estimate will be released on May 12 with USDA-NASS’ Subjective Estimate. As of December 2025, the Almond Board of California Board of Directors voted to cease funding for the July USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Objective Measurement Report, making a change in California almond crop estimates going forward.

    Land IQ’s final acreage estimate in November of 2026 will cover total acres, bearing acreage, non-bearing acreage and potentially abandoned acres and removals from Sept. 1, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2026. Please note that the almond crop year runs Aug. 1-July 31, so this estimate includes the harvest for the 2026-27 crop year.

    Land IQ’s Initial Estimate and its Final Acreage Estimate in November are commissioned by the Almond Board of California to provide statistical transparency and a robust picture of California almonds to industry stakeholders around the world. In 2018, ABC first commissioned Land IQ, a Sacramento-based agricultural and environmental scientific research and consulting firm, to develop a comprehensive, living map of California almonds, with the first report issued in 2019. The map is the result of more than a decade of research

    — Story Contributed by the Almond Board of California

  • How to Protect Your Almonds from Navel Orangeworm and Other Pests

    With spring weather arriving earlier, almond growers in California can expect an earlier influx of pests in their orchards — and to get started sooner on preventing them from harming their nut crops. According to UCCE Sacramento Valley Integrated Pest Management Supervisor Sudan Gyawaly, now is the time to watch out for things like navel orangeworm (NOW), peach twig borers, leaf-footed bugs and spider mites.

    Navel Orangeworm (NOW)

    Navel orangeworms (Amyelois transitella) are the most prominent pests in almond orchards. These moths lay their eggs on the shells after hull split, and the larvae burrow inside the shell, eating the nuts and sheltering inside. Signs of a NOW infestation in an orchard include:

    ·      Small, flat, oval-shaped eggs outside of almond hulls

    ·      Pinhole-sized holes in almond hulls

    ·      Hulls that are oily in appearance

    ·      Fungal infections of nuts

    ·      Extensive webbing inside the hulls

    ·      Partially eaten nuts

    ·      Larvae that are white to pink in color, with crescent marks behind the head

    Navel orangeworm damage to an almond. Photo by Matthew Malcolm

    To manage NOW in your orchards, be sure to continuously monitor male flight activity by using pheromone traps. Also continue to monitor NOW egg traps to establish a spring biofix (the first spring flight, which acts as the starting date for calculating growing degree days), to help you predict the timing of their later flights. The first flight usually occurs from late March through April, but earlier times are possible, depending on the weather.

    According to UC IPM, prevention is key to avoiding infestation. This includes removing all mummy nuts by the start of February. To eliminate existing NOW populations:

    ·      Establish a biofix

    ·      Hang pheromone dispensers in the trees to disrupt mating

    ·      Assess trap activity and begin spraying at hull split.  Apply pesticides at night and early morning for optimal results

    ·      Harvest and clean up as early as possible

    ·      Remove mummy nuts by March 15 of the next year.  Mow or disk mummies on the ground.

    Peach Twig Borer

    While less of a concern in mature orchards, peach twig borer — also a moth — can still be a menace for almond growers in younger fields by causing primary scaffold damage. Begin monitoring pheromone traps in April to establish a biofix and decide if a spray is necessary in May.  Consult with your pest control adviser if you are unsure.

    Leaf-Footed Bugs

    Stink bugs and leaf-footed bugs are especially troublesome after a warm winter. Leaf-footed bugs can be trickier to spot.  UC IPM lists the tell-tale signs of an infestation in your orchard as:

    ·      Gummy nuts — nuts with exudates on the outside of the hull — a signature warning

    ·      Nuts that have dropped prematurely

    ·      Black spots on kernels and wrinkled, misshapen nutmeat from adult feeding

    ·      Withered and aborted shells from bugs feeding on premature nuts

    Leaf-footed bug

    Stink bugs cause similar damage, but this is usually around May or June. Leaf-footed bug management can vary from orchard to orchard, depending on history and severity. Gyawaly advises basing spray decisions on this history plus on damage risk associated with seasonal conditions. Consult with your pest control adviser if you are unsure.

    Spider Mites

    Typically found in the lower parts of the canopy, spider mites may also come out earlier and in greater numbers with warmer weather. Their presence should be monitored once every two weeks.  For this pest, beneficial arthropods that prey on spider mites may be one of your orchard’s best friends. These species include:

    ·      Western predatory mites

    ·      Spider mite destroyers

    ·      Sixspotted thrips

    ·      Pirate bugs

    By monitoring and addressing mite and insect pests in the spring, the pest populations can be kept under control to ensure a large, high-quality almond harvest.

    Watch this interview on Navel Orangeworm: Video Interview

  • Almond Board of California Releases Market Update

    The Almond Board of California released its March position report on April 10, showing that industry shipments totaled 258 million pounds. Blue Diamond Growers notes that this is an increase of 16.5% year over year, surpassing expectations. March exports were up 21% compared to last year at 2025.2 million pounds. Export shipments are surpassing last yers pace, leading by 3% at 1.38 billion pounds and domestic shipments for March came in at 1.9% ahead from last year.

    “While domestic year-to-date shipments remain behind at 391 million pounds, down 15.9%, the increase this month is worth celebrating after months of softer results. Total industry shipments through March stand at 1.78 billion pounds, down 1.9% versus last year,” Blue Diamond Growers wrote in its March Almond Market Update. “The California almond industry has shown resilience and strong performance despite logistical delays associated with the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. With concern around Australian crop quality due to late season rainfall, we may see additional opportunities for California almonds ahead.”

    The March shipment performance confirmed an effectively functioning market, with global demand continuing to absorb supply. Export markets remain the primary driver, supported by consistent movement into Europe, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, despite recent disruptions. This includes 39.2 million pounds shipped to India. China/Hong Kong, also saw a 123% increase to 4.1 million pounds following last year’s tariffs. Shipments to Vietnam were at 5.6 million pounds, an 8.5% increase.

    The Middle East remains difficult, with reduced activity in the United Arab Emirates, but Turkey has seen an increase of 30% and Pakistan has seen an increase of 170%, indicating that demand is being redistributed rather than eroded.

    “The conflict in Iran has been a concerning factor for the industry for over a month. The March report serves as proof that demand across the Middle East remains intact as the region took 21.9 million pounds for the month. The current geopolitical conditions have introduced disruptions and logistical challenges to traditional trade flows in the Persian Gulf,” the Blue Diamond update read. “Saudi Arabia is also expected to act as an alternative routing option to supply regional buyers. The region remains a key demand center with creative execution strategies, and the normalization of logistics is expected to support future activity.”

    The market in Europe remains steady, with year-to-date shipments tracking ahead of 2025 by 7%.

  • Double Density and Tree Removal

    With the increase of double-density planting, hazelnut growers in Oregon are removing every other tree, which can be an expensive and labor-intensive process. Hazelnut grower and nursery owner Loren Birkemeier took some time to talk with Matthew Malcolm from Pacific Nut Producer about the most cost-effective ways to remove trees. Watch this quick video and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor George Packing Company for their industry support.

  • USDA Reopens Acreage Reporting  for Specialty Crop Growers

    The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced the agency is reopening the 2025 crop acreage reporting period required for specialty crop producers who want to apply for the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) program. Announced by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins on Feb. 13, the ASCF program is designed to help address market disruptions, elevated input costs, persistent inflation, and market losses from foreign competitors engaging in unfair trade practices that impede exports. Specialty crop producers now have until April 24, 2026, to report 2025 acres to FSA.

    The ASCF program is authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act.

    Eligible Specialty Crops

    ASCF-eligible specialty crops include: (A) Almond, Apple, Apricot, Aronia berry, Artichoke, Asparagus, Avocado (B) Banana, Bean (Snap or green; Lima; Dry edible), Beet (Table), Blackberry, Blueberry, Breadfruit, Broccoli (including Broccoli Raab), Brussels Sprouts (C) Cabbage (including Chinese), Cacao, Carrot, Cashew, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Cherimoya, Cherry, Chestnut (for Nuts), Chive, Citrus, Coconut, Coffee, Collards (including Kale), Cranberry, Cucumber, Currant (D) Date,  (E)  Eggplant, Endive (F) Feijou, Fig, Filbert (Hazelnut) (G) Garlic, Gooseberry, Grape (including Raisin), Guava (H) Horseradish (K) Kiwi, Kohlrabi (L) Leek, Lettuce, Litchi (M) Macadamia, Mango, Melon (All Types), Mushroom (Cultivated), Mustard and Other Greens (N) Nectarine (O) Okra, Olive, Onion,  (P) Papaya, Parsley, Parsnip, Passion Fruit, Pea (Garden; English or Edible Pod; Dry edible), Peach, Pear, Pecan, Pepper, Persimmon, Pineapple, Pistachio, Plum (including Prune), Pomegranate, Potato, Pumpkin (Q) Quince (R) Radish (All Types), Raspberry, Rhubarb, Rutabaga (S) Salsify, Spinach, Squash (Summer and Winter), Strawberry, Suriname Cherry, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Swiss Chard (T) Taro, Tomato (including Tomatillo), Turnip (W) Walnut, Watermelon

    *Dry edible beans and peas covered by the Farmer Bridge Assistance program will not be eligible for ASCF. Commodities covered by FBA will not be eligible for ASCF.

    Program Participation

    ASCF payments are based on reported 2025 planted acres. Eligible farmers should ensure their 2025 acreage reporting is factual and accurate by Friday, April 24, 2026. USDA will release commodity-specific payment rates soon after the acreage reporting deadline.

    Following completion of acreage reporting, producers are encouraged to prepare for the eventual announcement of the ASCF program application period by creating a Login.gov account. Doing so ensures that once FSA starts taking ASCF program applications, those producers who wish to apply online will experience an expedited application and payment process. Assistance will also be available through local FSA county offices.

    Login.gov is the public’s one account for government engagement. Producers can use one account and password for secure, private access to participating government agencies, including FSA. Begin the Login.gov process by visiting fsa.usda.gov/fba to create a Login.gov account. Producers who have an existing Login.gov account can work with FSA using their existing account. For assistance creating a login.govaccount, visit https://login.gov/help/.

    Crop insurance linkage will not be required for the ASCF program. However, USDA strongly urges producers to take advantage of the new One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) risk management tools to best protect against price risk and volatility in the future.

    More information on ASCF is available online at https://www.fsa.usda.gov/fba. Producers can contact their local FSA county office to make an appointment to complete their 2025 crop acreage report. — By the USDA Farm Service Agency

  • ‘Demo 57 Orchard’ Near Los Banos Showcases 57 Almond Variety and Rootstock Combinations

    A new almond demonstration orchard featuring 57 combinations of varieties and rootstocks has been planted near Los Banos to help growers evaluate planting decisions for the next generation of orchards.

    Known as “Demo 57,” the RPAC Variety & Rootstock Demo Orchard was planted this year adjacent to the RPAC and PAPC facilities, allowing visiting growers to easily walk through the orchard and observe how different combinations perform over time.

    The project was designed so growers can evaluate today’s commercial varieties from prominent tree nurseries alongside newer selections and rootstocks that may shape future almond plantings.

    The orchard was planted in the same year PAPC founder and longtime grower Louie Parreira will celebrate his 100th birthday, a milestone that highlights how much almond production has evolved over the past several generations.  Louie’s son, David Parreira, reflected on how orchards were planted when earlier generations of the family first entered the almond business.

    “When my father and grandfather planted their first almonds, they were on a 24-foot square spacing, about 75 trees per acre. They planted four rows of Nonpareil, then two rows of Mission, then four rows of Nonpareil and two rows of Davey and so on. I don’t think they put much fertilizer on and irrigated only when the trees looked stressed. They were happy to make 500 pounds per acre. Harvest was all by hand and the beekeepers paid the grower to bring bees in so they could make honey. Obviously, almond production has changed a lot!”

    Almond grower and RPAC partner Dennis Soares, who entered the almond industry after two decades in the cotton business, said the industry has changed dramatically since he planted his first orchards.

    “Almond prices were around 75 cents a pound when I planted my first almonds in 1999. Coming from the cotton business, we learned some lessons the hard way about planting the wrong varieties, rootstocks and spacings, like planting Wood Colony at 18-foot spacing.

    “Today plentiful information is available to growers, and making the right decisions is critical when planting a new orchard.  This demo orchard gives growers a chance to see many different combinations and evaluate what might work best for their operation.”

    Soares noted the project also benefits from agronomic support from David Doll, widely known in the industry as the Almond Doctor.

    “Working with David Doll on agronomic support has been invaluable. He provides a tremendous amount of information and stays closely connected with the almond growing community around the world.”

    The project was developed in collaboration with leading nursery partners supplying genetics and planting material.

    John Duarte, President of Duarte Nursery, expressed that “we appreciate RPAC providing nurseries this opportunity to put forward our newest ideas and genetics. For our planting, we included Yorizane high-topped containerized trees on Bright’s Hybrid 5. We believe that this new orchard system will be the highest production and most efficient almond orchard to date. Time will tell. Growers will see it firsthand.”

    “Rootstock selection plays a major role in long-term orchard performance,” said Seana Day, CEO of Dave Wilson Nursery. “Having a demonstration site like this allows growers to compare combinations and better understand how they may perform in commercial plantings. We appreciate RPAC bringing together multiple nursery partners to make this possible.”

    “New almond varieties and rootstocks are coming to market faster than ever, and growers need reliable ways to evaluate them,” said Tom Burchell, owner of Burchell Nursery. “This orchard gives the industry a place to see how different combinations perform side by side in the same environment. We are proud to partner with RPAC on a project that will provide valuable insight for growers across California.”

    In addition to the variety and rootstock trials, the orchard includes a hedgerow planted with ten species of California native plants designed to demonstrate how habitat plantings may support beneficial insects in almond orchards.

    The Demo 57 Orchard is expected to serve as a site for future grower visits and field discussions as the different combinations develop. — Story by RPAC LLC

  • 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.

  • Hazelnut Growers Achieve First-Ever 100,000+ Ton Crop

    For the first time in the 100-plus year history of the United States commercial hazelnut industry, farmers harvested more than 100,000 tons of hazelnuts in 2025. Preliminary totals estimate the yield to be more than 121,000 tons—a massive increase from the 96,000 tons harvested in 2024. Final harvest numbers are expected later this spring. Prior to 2020, the peak U.S. hazelnut harvest was 51,000 tons in 2018.

    Much of the sharp rise in production is due to the orchard planting boom of the 2010s. From 2010-2019, hazelnut acreage in Oregon climbed from approximately 29,000 acres to approximately 81,000 acres. This acreage has since stabilized at around 96,800 acres. New, better-yielding hazelnut cultivars, advancements in farming technology and growing global demand for hazelnuts all contributed to an influx in new plantings throughout Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Escalating production soon followed the expansion in acres. Oregon is home to 99% of U.S. hazelnut orchards, with farms in Washington contributing to make the Pacific Northwest the epicenter of country’s hazelnut production.

    Hazelnut trees typically take four to five years to produce enough kernels to harvest; they continue to
    produce more nuts as they mature to 10-12 years old. At full maturity, it is now common for an acre of hazelnut trees to produce 3,000 pounds or more of hazelnuts. With thousands of acres of trees planted in the 2010s now reaching this stage, production is anticipated to rise precipitously over the next several
    years.

    About the Hazelnut Marketing Board

    Nestled between the grandeur of the Cascade Mountains and the scenic Pacific Ocean lies the Willamette Valley — one of the world’s premiere agricultural regions. Over 99% of American hazelnuts are grown in this fertile valley. The rare combination of volcanic soils, moderate temperature and ample precipitation makes this the optimal region for hazelnut orchards. These thriving groves yield hazelnuts renowned globally for their unparalleled size, consistent quality and distinct flavor. U.S. hazelnuts boast a robust, buttery smooth flavor and are the ideal accent for exquisite entrees or delicious desserts. They are also great by themselves as a healthy and flavorful snack. U.S. hazelnuts come in many forms–including kernels, meal, flour, sliced, diced, paste and oil–making them easy to eat and use.

  • 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