Pacific Nut Producer Magazine

Tag: California Almonds

  • Almond Market Looks Strong Going Into 2027

    The almond industry is entering the new crop year from a solid position according to a recent market update from Blue Diamond Growers. This is thanks in no small part to exports to India.

    The 470.7-million-pound carry-in (of which only 447.1 million pounds is estimated as edible) is down from prior year and confirms the tightness in supply from one crop to the next. Downward pressure on crop potential and overall supply and demand fundamentals continue to support a stable-to-firm market outlook. Export demand remains healthy with the coming weeks expected to provide clarity on crop size, kernel sizing, and the degree to which rapidly appreciated pricing can be absorbed by end markets.

    The 2026 crop year started on a positive note, meeting strong industry expectations. August shipments totaled 190 million pounds. Exports reached 143.2 million pounds, an increase of 31%, while the domestic market shipped 46.8 million pounds at a modest -3.3% decrease versus last year. With six of the last seven last months’ total shipments outpacing previous year, the industry continues to experience strength in global demand.

    India was the clear standout in August, receiving 44.3 million pounds, up approximately 170% from 16.4 million pounds last year. The increase reflects stronger replenishment ahead of the festival season and a normalization from the unusually low August 2025 shipment level. The magnitude of the increase is notable given elevated pricing and confirms India’s continued importance as the primary outlet for California inshell almonds. Local consumption will become increasingly important ahead of festival season as buyers will begin to replenish stocks that dwindled at the end of the 2025 crop year.

    August domestic shipments totaled 46.8 million pounds, down 3.3% year over year. While this may not have been the start to the year the industry had hoped for, the improvement in shipment performance over the last six months provides optimism that the market has stabilized. As prices rose over the last month, purchasing activity slowed and shifted to closer, strategic locations. This cautious approach is expected to continue. Looking ahead, domestic demand is expected to remain steady, with a pipeline of commitments providing support for shipments in the next few months.

    The 2026 crop is progressing rapidly with current receipts for August coming in at 401.9 million pounds. The pacing of receipts is 55% above August 2025 due to harvest beginning approximately 2 weeks earlier than prior year. The increase in receipts over last year is not a reflection of projected crop receipts for 2026.
    Nonpareil and Independence varieties are largely harvested with pollinizer varieties following closely behind. In some of the most advanced areas, growers have completed orchard harvest activities and are focusing on post-harvest practices and minimizing water stress to support next season’s crop.

    Current Nonpareil reject levels are the lowest in several years, though ticking up slightly, driven by a third flight of navel orangeworm. Independence rejects are trending higher than last year, mainly due to brown spot from leaf-footed plant bugs.

    Yields are variable in Nonpareil and Independence depending on the region. Speculation on smaller kernel sizes coming into harvest are beginning to be realized. Yields in Nonpareil and Independence receipts are signaling a lower 2026 crop than 2025, as forecasted. There is continued downward pressure on crop potential, which will be informed by pollinizer varieties that hullers are beginning to process. Next month’s report may reflect further shifts to the forecast as pollinizer volume comes in and is accounted for. — Story contributed by Blue Diamond Growers

  • Almond Award Nominations Open

    The Almond Board of California honors two industry or allied industry members annually. The nomination deadline for the 2026 awards is October 9, 2026. The winner of the Almond Achievement Award and the Almond Technical Achievement Award will be announced at the Wednesday, Dec. 9 luncheon at The Almond Conference.

    Almond Achievement Award

    Beginning in 2011, the goal of the Almond Achievement Award is to recognize an industry member who has added value through long-term service for the betterment of the California almond industry. Award recipients are individuals with long-standing and direct involvement, who demonstrate lasting impact on, and commitment to, the California almond industry.

    Ross Blackburn received the 2025 Almond Achievement Award at The Almond Conference in December.

    Nominate someone for the Almond Achievement Award here.

    Almond Technical Achievement Award

    Beginning in 2021, the goal of the Almond Technical Achievement Award is to recognize an industry or allied industry member who has contributed a significant technical advancement for the betterment of the California almond industry through research, innovation or facilitated adoption of practices. Award recipients have contributed significant research, facilitated an innovative practice, or assisted in the adoption of a practice for the betterment of the industry.

    Christine Gemperle was awarded the 2025 Almond Technical Achievement Award at The Almond Conference in December.

    Nominate someone for the Almond Technical Achievement Award  here.

  • New Investment Aims to Give Growers Another Tool for NOW

    California almond growers know the challenge navel orangeworm brings every season. The pest can reduce crop quality, increase production costs and raise concerns around aflatoxin and marketability. Now, new additional funding is helping continue an industry-backed research effort to advance another tool growers may one day be able to use as part of an integrated pest management program.

    The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research, the Almond Board of California and Flyttr™ partnered on a nearly $5 million grant to advance development of a biological approach targeting navel orangeworm in almonds and pistachios. ABC is helping fund a portion of the project, reflecting the almond industry’s continued investment in research that supports long-term orchard productivity, crop quality and grower profitability.

    The project centers on Flyttr’s Friendly™ navel orangeworm technology. The concept is simple: release Friendly™ male moths into areas with pest pressure. When those males mate with wild females, no surviving offspring are produced. With continued releases over time, the goal is to reduce the pest population and lower damage pressure in orchards.

    For growers, the significance is not that this replaces today’s best practices. Sanitation, monitoring, mating disruption, timely harvest and well-timed treatments remain important parts of navel orangeworm management. Instead, this research is focused on developing a targeted biological tool that could complement existing programs and help reduce reliance on conventional insecticides over time.

    Navel orangeworm remains one of the costliest pests facing California tree nuts, with industry losses estimated at more than $800 million each year. Damage can affect yield, quality and food safety, which is why the pest continues to be a priority for research, industry collaboration and new technology development.

    Funding from FFAR and industry partners will support the continued work needed to move the technology closer to practical use, including large-scale production systems and field studies. That means the effort is still in development, but it represents an important step toward expanding the number of durable tools available to growers managing navel orangeworm pressure.

    ABC’s role in helping fund this work is part of a broader commitment to support practical, science-based solutions for almond growers. By investing alongside partners, the almond industry is helping advance research that could protect crop value, strengthen pest management options and support the long-term competitiveness of California almonds.

  • Start With the Conversation That Determines Your Orchard’s Future

    Planting an almond orchard has never been a simple decision. But in today’s margin-tight environment, the choice of rootstock and variety combination is more than an agronomic preference — it is a 20- to 25-year business decision that can shape profitability, harvest efficiency, marketability and long-term risk.

    That was the focus of a grower-facing discussion moderated by Almond Board of California’s Michael Roots, with perspectives from Dave Phippen of Travaille and Phippen, Duarte Nursery’s John Arellano and grower Brandon Ribiero, at the 2026 Almond Crack Out event.

    For growers, the main message was clear. Do not make a planting decision in isolation. A new orchard should begin with a practical, sometimes uncomfortable, conversation about water, soil, rootstock, variety, harvest timing, market demand and, most importantly, economics.

    “Know Your Breakeven Cost Per Pound”

    Ribiero put the economics plainly when he said growers should “know your breakeven cost per pound.”

    That calculation should sit at the center of every planting conversation. Ribiero described it as a simple equation of cost divided by yield. If a grower expects production costs of $3,500 per acre and assumes 2,500 pounds per acre, the breakeven is about $1.40 per pound. If debt, land costs or other obligations push total costs to $4,500 per acre at the same yield, that breakeven rises to $1.80 per pound.

    That difference matters. In a market where prices can move quickly and margins can narrow, the wrong yield assumption, or the wrong rootstock and variety combination for a site, can make an orchard difficult to carry through the low points of the price cycle.

    Ribiero also warned that growers cannot always “save their way to prosperity.” Trimming some costs may help at the margins, but yield is often what moves the breakeven number in a meaningful way. That makes variety performance, rootstock fit and realistic production expectations central to the decision.

    Start With Water, Soil and Site Limitations

    Before selecting a variety, Ribiero said growers should first understand “all things water” — supply, quality and rights. Without water, he noted, the rest of the planting plan loses its foundation.

    From there, the conversation moves to soil. The right rootstock depends on what the site needs most, including vigor, anchorage, salt tolerance, disease resistance, replant tolerance or other characteristics. Prior Almond Board coverage of rootstock selection has emphasized the same point. Growers should identify a site’s limitations first, then select a rootstock that helps address the biggest risks.

    That means soil tests, water quality information, local grower experience and advisor input should all be part of the planning process. Once trees are planted, growers can adjust irrigation and fertility programs, but they cannot easily redo rootstock selection, variety choice or pre-plant soil preparation.

    Bring the Right People Into the Conversation Early

    Roots framed the panel around a gap that often appears in orchard planning. Growers may talk with a nursery early, but the handler is sometimes brought in after planting decisions are already made, or never at all. The panelists encouraged growers to widen the conversation before committing to trees.

    That group should include the nursery, handler, pest control adviser, neighboring growers and other trusted advisors who understand the region. Arellano said a nursery representative should be prepared to answer questions across rootstock, variety, fit for the site and how the planting will work operationally. If he does not have an answer, he said, the next step is finding someone who does.

    Ribiero said he often asks similar questions of different people one-on-one, looking for patterns in the answers. Where the advice is consistent, growers gain confidence. Where there are outliers, that is where the next question should be asked.

    Marketability Should Not Be an Afterthought

    Phippen brought the handler perspective into sharp focus. A variety may look attractive on paper, and a nursery may be able to supply the trees, but the buying public ultimately determines how that almond is valued. Market classification, quality expectations, defects, customer preferences and regional demand all matter.

    For Phippen, that means the marketing team should be part of the decision-making process. They can help growers understand what is moving well, what may be oversupplied and what buyers are asking for. A grower may be able to produce a variety, but the better question is whether the market wants it, and at what price.

    That conversation is especially important because handlers may serve different customers and markets. Quality tolerance, product form, timing and buyer preference can vary. A variety that fits one handler’s program may not be the right fit for another.

    Do Not Overcomplicate the Orchard

    One of Ribiero’s lessons from experience was the value of simplicity. He described a planting with multiple varieties intended to hedge risk around bloom, pollination and market movement. In practice, that complexity created harvest inefficiency without delivering a better return.

    His takeaway for growers was direct. Do not overthink it. A planting plan that is efficient, repeatable and well-matched to the site may provide more long-term value than one built around too many assumptions. Simplicity can reduce operational headaches and make it easier to scale what works.

    Pre-Plant Work Is the Last Chance to Get Some Things Right

    The panel also emphasized the importance of pre-plant groundwork and amendments. Ribiero noted that once an orchard is planted, it is difficult to incorporate materials into the active root zone. If a site needs amendments such as lime, gypsum, sulfur or compost, pre-plant is often the best opportunity to get them where they need to be.

    That point ties directly back to economics. A grower may be tempted to trim development costs up front, but those savings can become expensive if poor preparation limits tree performance for the life of the orchard.

    A Grower’s Pre-Planting Checklist

    • Calculate your breakeven cost per pound using realistic cost and yield assumptions.
    • Confirm water supply, water quality and water rights before moving deeper into planning.
    • Match rootstock to soil conditions, site limitations and long-term orchard goals.
    • Ask your handler how the variety fits current and future market needs.
    • Talk with neighboring growers who have experience with similar soils, water and varieties.
    • Include your PCA, nursery representative, handler and trusted advisors early.
    • Review independent field data and regional trial information where available.
    • Keep the orchard design practical for harvest timing, equipment and labor efficiency.
    • Complete needed soil preparation and amendments before planting.

    The Bottom Line

    Choosing an almond rootstock and variety combination is not just a horticultural decision. It is a business plan, a risk-management strategy and a long-term commitment to a specific site. The most successful planting decisions begin before the nursery order is placed, with honest conversations about what the orchard must produce, what the market will reward and what the grower can afford.

    For growers considering a new planting, Ribiero’s advice is a practical place to start. Know your breakeven cost per pound. From there, every other decision — water, soil, rootstock, variety, marketability and orchard design — should help answer one question. Can this orchard make money through the full price cycle? — Story Contributed by the Almond Board of California

  • Precision Timing Critical for Managing Hull Rot

    With this season’s hull rot treatment window now behind growers, recent research shared by UCCE advisors offers timely guidance for evaluating disease pressure this year and planning more precise management decisions next season. Hull rot remains one of the more frustrating and yield-limiting diseases in California almonds, particularly because its full impact is not always visible in the year it occurs. The research is helping clarify where growers should focus their efforts, especially as the disease complex evolves and growing conditions continue to favor new pathogens.

    Mohammad Yaghmour, orchard systems advisor in Kern County, has been closely tracking changes in the organisms responsible for hull rot. While the disease has long been associated with Rhizopus stolonifer and Monilinia species, the increasing presence of Aspergillus niger is shifting both how the disease develops and how it needs to be managed in the orchard.

    Hull rot follows a classic disease triangle, requiring a susceptible host, a pathogen, and the right environmental conditions. What makes this disease particularly challenging is that all three components are often present at hull split, when almonds are physiologically vulnerable and environmental conditions can favor fungal growth. Infection begins in the hull, but the most damaging effects appear later as the fungus moves into the fruiting wood. Leaves surrounding infected nuts dry rapidly, and the spurs that would produce next year’s crop are killed. In severe cases, entire shoots can be lost.

    This delayed impact is critical. Yield losses are not just tied to visible infection but to the loss of next year’s bearing wood. Research conducted across multiple orchards showed that yield reductions become meaningful once strike levels reach roughly one hundred per tree. At that point, the cumulative loss of spurs begins to reduce the productive capacity of the tree in the following season.

    One of the most important takeaways from this work is that not all hull rot is the same. Each pathogen behaves differently and requires different management timing. Monilinia, which also causes brown rot during bloom, infects earlier and must be managed weeks before hull split. In contrast, both Rhizopus and Aspergillusare primarily driven by inoculum originating in the soil, and infections occur at or shortly after hull split.

    The rise of Aspergillus niger is particularly important for growers in warmer production areas. This pathogen thrives under higher temperatures and has become increasingly common in Kern County before spreading more broadly across the Central Valley. Its symptoms differ subtly from those of Rhizopus. Instead of the gray, fuzzy growth commonly associated with Rhizopus, Aspergillus produces darker, flatter, jet-black spores. It can also lead to internal damage, including black streaking in wood due to toxin production, which contributes to spur and shoot death.

    Understanding when infection occurs has helped refine management recommendations. Research shows that almonds are most susceptible during early hull opening, particularly when the split is still narrow. That window—when the hull has just begun to open—is where infection severity is often highest for Aspergillus. This underscores why spray timing is so critical. Missing that narrow window can significantly reduce the effectiveness of control measures.

    Variety also plays a role. Nonpareil, Butte, and Sonora have shown higher susceptibility, while Monterey and Fritz tend to be less affected under similar conditions. In mixed plantings, this means growers should expect greater risk in Nonpareil blocks and manage accordingly, prioritizing inputs where the return on protection is highest.

    Cultural practices continue to play an essential role in reducing disease pressure. Excess nitrogen has been shown to increase susceptibility, likely by promoting lush growth that favors infection. Careful nitrogen management can reduce that risk. You can learn more about nitrogen management at Almonds.org/NutrientManagement. Similarly, irrigation practices influence disease development. Strategic deficit irrigation has been linked to reduced incidence of Rhizopus, while excessive soil moisture during hull split can increase disease pressure.

    Dust management is another overlooked but important factor. Because Aspergillus and Rhizopus originate in the soil, any activity that creates dust can move spores into the canopy. Equipment traffic during hull split can unintentionally increase inoculum pressure at the exact time tissues are most vulnerable. Reducing dust during this period can help limit infection.

    Fungicides remain a valuable tool, but they are not a standalone solution. Their effectiveness depends heavily on correct timing and proper pathogen identification. Materials in several FRAC groups have shown strong performance when applied at the early stages of hull split. However, applying them too early or too late significantly reduces their value. In most cases, hull split sprays for disease management can be aligned with navel orangeworm treatments, helping to streamline operations.

    For growers, the message is clear: while the opportunity for in-season treatment may have passed, hull rot management is less about any single treatment and more about matching the right tool to the right moment. By using this season’s observations to scout for disease pressure, identify the pathogen involved and plan ahead for precise spray timing, balanced nitrogen, careful irrigation and dust reduction, growers can better protect the fruiting wood that supports next year’s crop and build more resilient orchard systems over time. — Story contributed by the Almond Board of California

  • Blue Diamond Releases Crop Progress Report

    Blue Diamond Growers release its monthly crop progress report, noting that harvesting conditions began earlier this year due to the impact of the weather.

    Warm summer temperatures dominated the conditions in California’s Central Valley during much of July, with a significant heat wave developing during the final week of the period. Daily maximum temperatures ranged predominately between the mid- and upper 90’s to just over 100 degrees with highest temperatures reported in the southern San Joaquin Valley. Morning lows exhibited greater variability, with readings ranging from the low 50’s to lower 70’s, depending on the degree of cloud cover each morning. Temperatures were amplified by monsoonal moisture traveling northward, bringing occasionally cloudy skies and increased humidity. Increasing daytime temperatures materialized in the final days of the period, marking the start of a significant heat wave. Temperatures were reported to be between 102 to 105 degrees, with higher temperatures forecast for the first week of August.

    The annual return of summertime monsoon flows stirred a bit of apprehension among California’s almond growers, as memories of the challenging 2025 harvest season were rekindled. With that in mind, growers and huller/sheller operators alike worked to complete final pre-harvest tasks during July, focusing on crop maturity that is running well ahead of normal.

    Insect and vegetation management were prime considerations during the period. As noted in our previous report, treatments to protect early harvesting varieties from damage by navel orangeworm were initiated in June, causing the early or advanced crop and pest development. As the crop continues to develop, secondary treatments, intended to catch the insect’s next generation and protect mid and later maturing varieties, were completed in July. As a reflection of the year’s advanced crop development, second treatments have been conducted in roughly the same time frame that initial applications would have been in “normal” years.

    As for other pest issues, observers are reporting increased population of web-spinning mites in the Sacramento and southern San Joaquin Valleys. Control at this stage of crop development presents several challenges and the forecast heat wave promises to expand existing infestations. Treatments targeting almond-damaging ant species have also been performed, including second applications in cases with particularly high populations.

    Observers are reporting widespread instances of red blotch infections in orchards throughout the Central Valley. As may be seen in the photo accompanying this report, if untreated, red blotch can cause severe foliar damage. However, symptoms of this new fungal disease do not appear until 30 to 40 days after infection. Easily spread by airborne spores that are activated by rain events, and potentially by irrigation, this disease spread from a single orchard in Merced County in 2024 to most of the Central Valley by 2025. Orchards that did not receive adequate protection, or any treatments at all are presenting significant symptoms, with the worst infections beginning to defoliate the trees. This is especially problematic in orchards that have been abandoned. Leaf rust, which follows a similar symptomology, has also been observed.

    After delaying or deferring mower passes during the growing season to control costs, vegetation management on the orchard floor became particularly important during the period. Growers must provide for a clean, firm soil surface within the orchard middles (the area between the tree rows), to facilitate an efficient harvest. Where warranted, treatments to control weed regrowth, followed by flail mowers running close to the soil surface, provide the best conditions for a clean harvest.

    Crop maturity also made irrigation management a focal point. Machinery passing through the orchards must be timed between irrigations to prevent rutting of the surface. For those working to employ regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) described in our previous report, the hotter temperatures complicate grower decisions. Under RDI, growers reduce irrigation to one-half of the orchard’s consumptive use for a two-week period at the initiation of hull split. Keeping in mind that water consumption increases as temperatures rise, in extreme cases, normal irrigation scheduling can result in one-half of consumptive use. For those with orchards ready for harvest, water must also be withheld to prevent bark damage during shaking.

    Owing to the advanced crop maturity, harvest operations of the 2026 crop were launched in mid-July. Observers reported the shakers entered the first orchard on July 10 in western Colusa County. Shakers began working in other advanced plantings along the west side of the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys during the week of July 12 and the first crop to be picked up was delivered to huller/shellers during the week of July 19. For those along the east side and along the Highway 99 corridor, shaking of advanced blocks is expected to begin during the first week of August.

    Growers and observers have noted that hulls have begun splitting in several pollinator varieties, indicating a potentially compressed harvest. However, how the crop will flow though huller/shellers will be determined as more crop arrives in the first weeks of August. Observers have noted thick hulls in many orchards that can potentially reduce flow rates during hulling.

    — Story by Mel Machado, Blue Diamond Growers

  • Baking Innovations in Mexico Incentivize Almond Exports

    Mexico has been a market of interest for California almond growers for many years, importing 33.5 million pounds last year — up 8% from the year prior — with California almonds holding a 99% market share. Along the way, the strategy for reaching consumers and food professionals has evolved alongside the market itself.

    Earlier efforts focused on building awareness and familiarity among consumers through the ¡Ponte Almendra! campaign, introducing almonds as a nutritious and versatile food. Those programs helped establish a foundation for the category and positioned almonds as a recognizable ingredient among Mexican consumers.

    Today, the Almond Board of California’s (ABC) efforts in Mexico are centered on a different opportunity: the country’s bakery industry. That shift is grounded in market research and analysis commissioned by ABC, which identified Mexico’s bakery sector as a strong short-term growth opportunity for California almonds.

    The work extends beyond traditional marketing. ABC is also creating opportunities for bakery professionals to connect more closely with California almonds through educational programming, chef engagement and industry events. This includes participation in leading bakery trade shows such as ExpoPan and MexiPan, where bakers can see new applications for almonds and learn how the ingredient can be incorporated into a wide range of products. Planned activities also include bringing influential bakery professionals and industry partners closer to the California almond story through programs that highlight how almonds are grown and produced.

    At the heart of the strategy is a simple goal: helping make almonds a more frequent ingredient choice in one of Mexico’s largest food categories. Every time a bakery introduces an almond-filled pastry, a sweet bread topped with sliced almonds or a new premium product featuring almond ingredients, almonds become part of consumers’ everyday purchasing decisions. Those choices create opportunities for repeat use and long-term category growth.

    Across Mexico, bakery professionals are responding to changing consumer preferences, introducing more premium products, experimenting with new flavors and formats, and blending traditional Mexican bakery with influences from Europe and other global baking trends. As bakeries look for ways to elevate their offerings and differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive marketplace, almonds are well positioned to play a larger role.

    To support that opportunity, ABC has shifted its focus toward engaging directly with bakery professionals through trade marketing, industry partnerships and targeted outreach. Marketing efforts now include bakery-focused advertising, media relations and digital communications. The messaging centers on the role almonds can play in enhancing baked goods through flavor, texture, visual appeal and versatility, whether they are used as toppings, inclusions, fillings or ingredients in specialty formulations.

    Mexico’s bakery sector continues to innovate, and ABC sees an opportunity to ensure California almonds are part of that evolution. By staying engaged with the professionals developing new products, influencing ingredient decisions and shaping consumer trends, ABC is working to position almonds as a valued ingredient in the next generation of Mexican baked goods. The result is a strategy focused not only on increasing awareness, but on creating lasting demand by encouraging greater almond usage throughout the bakery category and strengthening the connection between California almonds and one of Mexico’s most important food industries. — Story contributed by the Almond Board of California

  • Regulators gain Insight at ABC’s Environmental Stewardship Tour

    Sixteen regulatory staff got a firsthand look at almond farming during the Almond Board of California’s (ABC) 18th annual Environmental Stewardship Tour on May 8 at Chamisal Creek Ranch in Arbuckle. Grower Mike Dougherty and his daughter Emma welcomed representatives from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, State Water Board and Central Valley Regional Water Board for an on-the-ground conversation about how almonds are grown and how stewardship practices play out in the field.

    Designed to help regulators have a better sense of what it takes to grow almonds; the annual tour gives regulators an opportunity to see the range of factors growers face throughout the season. Attendees spent more than four hours in the field engaging directly with growers and ABC staff through open dialogue and seeing almond trees up close.

    Beyond giving regulators a firsthand look at almond production, the tour also provides ABC with an important opportunity to demonstrate the depth of knowledge, research and practical information it can offer as a resource on almonds. Through conversations throughout the day, ABC staff and growers can answer questions, share context and strengthen relationships with regulatory audiences who play a key role in shaping the environment in which California almonds are grown.

    “It’s really just time for them to ask in-depth questions,” said Danielle Veenstra, ABC Senior Manager of Global Stewardship. “These tours create space for candid conversations and help show that we’re open and we’re here to share the real-world realities of farming.”

    Throughout the morning, participants saw both young and mature orchards, providing an almond growing 101-education while learning how growers approach key decisions around irrigation, nutrient management and crop protection. ABC staff also highlighted the organization’s investment in research and the outreach efforts that help translate science into practical, on-farm solutions.

    Natalie Henderson, ABC Director of Global Communications, emphasized the value of bringing new regulatory staff to the farm each year. “They leave more educated and more knowledgeable,” Henderson said. “That understanding doesn’t stop there, it spreads across agencies. And these growers get to share their challenges directly with the people helping shape regulations.”

    Following the orchard visit, the group continued to Dunnigan Hills Huller & Sheller, where the focus shifted to what happens after harvest. There, attendees saw how almond hulls and shells are utilized, from traditional livestock feed to value-added products that extend the value of every part of the crop.

    “They had products we could actually touch and feel, which really helped bring the story to life,” said Dan Sonke, Environmental Stewardship Workgroup Chair. “The byproduct story came through clearly, showing the full picture of how nothing goes to waste.”

    The visit also highlighted how co-product innovation contributes to the industry’s overall environmental footprint, reinforcing the role almonds play in a circular, resource-efficient system. According to ABC staff, these conversations often provide new perspectives for regulators, particularly when they see how interconnected farming practices, economics and environmental outcomes can be.

    By the end of the tour, participants left with a deeper understanding of the complexities of almond production, and the continuous improvements being made through research, innovation and grower-led stewardship.

    As Veenstra noted, “These opportunities help close the gap between perception and reality. When regulators see it firsthand, it changes the conversation.”

    — Story contributed by the Almond Board of California

  • Almond Alliance Gives Growers a Seat at the Table

    The California almond industry is resilient, but input cost, labor and water access remain constant worries for growers. The Almond Alliance is working at the state and federal level to give a voice to the growers of over 80% of the world’s almond supply. Matthew Malcolm with California Ag Network took the time to talk with Alliance Chair Blake Vann to learn about what’s going on in their organization. Watch this quick video and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • Blue Diamond Almond Crop Estimate Revised to 2.6B Pounds

    Since releasing our initial May 2026 estimate, Blue Diamond Growers has continued to monitor orchard conditions across all growing regions. The company’s observations continue to indicate a crop size in the range of 2.65 to 2.7 billion pounds. Their initial estimate had an upper range of 2.72 billion pounds, which they now believe peaks at 2.70 billion pounds because of growing downward pressure on crop potential, suggesting a slightly lower midpoint of 2.67 billion pounds. As it remains early in the season, the range indicates both downside risk and variability of the 2026 crop.

    Over the past several weeks, in‑field managers have continued to survey orchards across the valley, noting additional observations related to nut progression, irrigation patterns, and early-season stress indicators. These insights, combined with updated grower feedback — they said — reinforce their assessment.

    Key factors informing this follow‑up include:

    • Continued orchard‑to‑orchard evaluations and comparisons to identify variations in quality and crop performance
    • Updated monthly grower survey responses reflecting expectations across season-to-date performance
    • Ongoing evaluation of economic, water, and weather pressures that may influence yield outcomes

    Blue Diamond Growers will continue to monitor crop conditions and provide updates as conditions evolve. At this stage, indicators support a modestly lower estimate, with variability driven largely by input levels.

    Crop Influences

    The 2026 almond season to date reflects a mix of moderate weather conditions and ongoing operational and economic challenges for growers. While temperatures have remained warm without any critical heat wave conditions, several factors may still impact the crop before harvest.

    Growers continue to face high production costs, resulting in measured resource management. Fertilizer and fuel costs, cash flow pressures and overall market prices have led many growers to reduce inputs. Growers have had ample water for irrigation, supporting orchards without major challenges. However, the cost of electricity required to pressurize water for irrigation remains a budgetary challenge.

    Current Crop Development Observations

    Orchard conditions are varying widely this season, shaped largely by differences in nutrition and input management.

    Lower input orchards are showing lighter crop loads and weaker conditions, while a notable number of orchards with heavier crop loads are showing signs of weak spur development. This points to fertility concerns that could carry over into next year’s crop.

    By contrast, many well-nourished orchards are showing overly vigorous growth, a potential indicator of poor crop loads. Growers and in-field teams have also reported thicker hulls and shells in several varieties, which could adversely affect turnout percentages and lead to reduced final crop weights beyond what may be apparent through pre-harvest observations.

    Forward Outlook

    Conditions will continue to evolve across the regions over the coming weeks, and the impact of crop stressors will become clearer. Ongoing monitoring will ensure that any significant changes are factored into future outlooks.

    Further insights will be shared by Blue Diamond in subsequent Market Reports, with later reports refining the forecast once harvest is underway. — Story contributed by Blue Diamond Growers