Pacific Nut Producer Magazine

Tag: California Almonds

  • Revised Forecast Reveals Larger California Almond Crop

    The 2025 California Almond Objective Measurement Report published Thursday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS) estimates that the crop harvested in 2025 will come in at 3.0 billion meat pounds.

    The Objective Estimate is up 7 percent from USDA-NASS’s Subjective Forecast in May and 10 percent higher than last year’s crop of 2.73 billion meat pounds.

    “The Objective Measurement reflects the hard work by California almond growers during uncertain times,” said Clarice Turner, president and CEO of the Almond Board of California. “While shipping has remained consistently strong, we know uncertainty remains surrounding future trade policies. We continue to engage with trade partners and stakeholders to encourage constructive solutions that support fair and stable trade so California almonds can continue to be enjoyed by consumers around the world.”

    The 2024 harvest yielded 2.73 billion pounds, 2.5% below the 2024 Objective Report estimate, reflecting the difficulty of precisely forecasting crop size given the current fluctuations in weather and economic factors.

    The report shared the 2025 almond crop experienced variable weather during bloom, which began in early February and peaked in the middle of the month. Storms brought rain, wind and hail, which hindered bee hours and blossom growth. Conditions improved in early March with warm temperatures accelerating the crop’s progress through the end of bloom. Mild temperatures and timely rain in spring supported nut growth and continued through early summer, lessening heat stress in orchards. Lower than normal pest and disease pressure have been reported. Harvest is expected to begin on time.

    “While this year’s Objective Measurement estimate is higher than the industry expected, shipments remain strong. We are focused on innovation—expanding almond applications, reaching consumers through new channels, and opening markets around the world,” added Turner. “The Almond Board is actively driving initiatives to stimulate demand around the world.”

    USDA-NASS’ forecasted yield is 2,160 pounds per acre, up from 1,980 in 2024. The forecast for the average nut set per tree is 4,364, an increase of 7 percent compared to 2024. The Nonpareil average nut set of 4,526 is 9 percent higher than last year. The average kernel weight for all varieties sampled was 1.60 grams, down 0.6 percent from the 2024 average weight. The Nonpareil average kernel weight was 1.60 grams, down 2 percent from the 2024 average weight.

    The 2025 Objective Report is based on actual almond counts using a statistically rigorous methodology. The survey was conducted from May 24 to June 28 and 1,892 trees were sampled in 946 orchards. USDA-NASS conducts the annual Objective Report, Subjective Forecast and Nursery Survey to provide the California almond industry with the data needed to make informed business decisions.

  • Almond Market Concerns Loom, and Not Just Retaliatory Tariffs

    Just as the market for California almonds was beginning to look brighter, concerns for the impact of retaliatory tariffs under President Trump 2.0 have brought a lot of uncertainty to growers that rely so heavily on a healthy export market. Roland Fumasi, the North American Head of RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to share Rabobank’s almond market forecast and an additional concern just as threatening to the near-term success of the industry as the looming retaliatory tariffs. Watch this brief interview and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • Almond Harvest 2024 Predicted at 2.8 Billion Pounds, Carryout Expected to Drop Significantly

    The 2024 California Almond Objective Measurement Report published July 10th by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS) estimates that the crop harvested in 2024 will come in at 2.80 billion meat pounds.

    The estimate is down 7 percent from USDA-NASS’s Subjective Forecast in May. It follows a generally solid bloom as well as a year in which growers faced a range of economic challenges. It also comes when the carryout is projected to drop to levels not seen in years as almond shipments set a record of 10 months straight of at least 212 million pounds shipped.

    “The Objective Measurement is in line with what the industry expected and a drop from the Subjective Estimate. It reflects both a good bloom and hard work by California almond growers during trying times,” said Clarice Turner, president and CEO of the Almond Board of California. “For perspective, demand has been strong, consistent and continues to grow, which has reduced the carryout to what may be the smallest in years. California almonds shipped at least 212 million pounds each of the first 10 months of this crop year and averaged 230 million pounds a month. Never before has the industry shipped even 200 million pounds 10 months in a row in the same crop year.”

    Turner said the Almond Board expects the almond supply to be similar to what was available in the past 2023-24 crop year.

    “The actual supply of California almonds available for the market is the combination of crop size and carryout from the previous year,” she said, “We expect only minor changes, if any, to the supply for market this next crop year because the forecasted increase in crop size will mostly be offset by the smaller carryout. Clearly, global demand is strong and consistent. We will continue to work hard to meet growing demand.”

    The 2023 harvest yielded 2.47 billion pounds, 5% below the 2023 Objective Report estimate, reflecting the difficulty of precisely forecasting crop size given the current fluctuations in weather and economic factors.

    USDA-NASS said the 2024 harvest is expected to be on schedule. “The 2024 almond crop experienced mostly favorable weather during the bloom period,” the report said. “Bee hours were reported to be significantly higher than last year. Wet and warm weather in April increased pest and disease pressure, but dry conditions and mild temperatures in May helped the developing crop. Multiple heat waves across the state during June and July required growers to increase irrigation on their orchards.”

    USDA-NASS’ forecasted yield is 2030 pounds per acre, up from 1,790 in 2023. The forecast for the average nut set per tree is 4,072 up from 3,953 in 2023, while the average kernel weight for all varieties sampled was 1.61 grams, down from the 1.67 grams in 2023. The Nonpareil average nut set of 4,137 is up from 4,004 last year, and the average Nonpareil kernel weight was 1.64, down from 1.69 grams last year.

    The 2024 Objective Report is based on actual almond counts using a statistically rigorous methodology. The survey was conducted from May 25 to June 28 and 1,904 trees were sampled in 952 orchards, the most ever, USDA NASS said. It was 40 more orchards than in 2023. USDA-NASS conducts the annual Objective Report, Subjective Forecast and Nursery Survey to provide the California almond industry with the data needed to make informed business decisions.

  • The California Almond Industry’s #1 Export Market Experiences Exponential Growth

    While China used to be the #1 export destination for California almonds, India has quickly risen to the top with tremendous opportunities for growth. Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm met with Emily Fleischmann and in-country representative Sudarshan Mazumdar from the Almond Board of California to discuss recent marketing successes and the industry’s continued investment in India. Watch this brief interview and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • PRIME Almond Board Investments Score Worldwide Consumer Attention

    The California almond industry scored big with its recent investment and partnership with Coach Prime highlighting the nutritional benefits of almonds.  Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm met with Laura Morin from the Almond Board of California to discuss some of the incredible results of this partnership, as well as other strategic partnerships around the world, engaging consumers like never before. Watch this brief interview and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • Almond Prices Expected to Rise in 2024, Setting Stage for a Positive 5-Year Forecast

    The next five years appear to be much brighter for the California almond industry than the last couple years of depressed market conditions, according to a recent RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness report.  Prices are expected to rise this season, but how much, and how soon will they climb to profitable levels? Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm spoke with Roland Fumasi from Rabobank to find out. Watch this brief interview and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • Almond Growers Anticipate Solid Crop Following Successful Bloom

    Despite some early spring rainstorms, the 2024 California almond crop is off to a great start after what turned out to be a very successful bloom. Watch this brief video as Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm discusses this with agricultural data analyst Megan Nunes, CEO of Bountiful.

  • Almond Board Announces Exceptional 2024 Almond Leadership Class

    The Almond Board of California is proud to announce the Almond Leadership Program class of 2024, a group of 18 exceptional professionals expected to help lead the industry into the future.

    Bayer Crop Science has sponsored the Almond Leadership Program (ALP) for a number of years and is again the sponsor of this 2024 class of next-generation leaders who were chosen from more than 50 highly qualified applicants. They come from diverse backgrounds across the full range of the industry and include growers and processors, sales representatives, sustainability specialists, company executives, pest control advisors and more.

    ALP began in 2009 and has graduated 226 industry members. Dozens now serve on ABC workgroups, committees and even the Board of Directors.

    “We have had so many great participants through the years, and this 2024 class is simply outstanding,” said Rebecca Bailey, the ABC senior specialist who oversees ALP. “This program helps great people become great leaders and our industry continues to see the enormous benefits from 15 years of ALP. We have no doubt these 18 people will continue to be great assets and advocates for the almond industry.”

    Members of this 15th class – while still working at their jobs – will be immersed in every aspect of the industry, including ABC activities in global marketing, production, nutrition research, food safety and more. They’ll sharpen their communication skills and build lasting relationships with industry leaders, ABC staff and each other.

    “It’s crucial to be connected to people in all areas of the almond supply chain,” said Erik Stanek, a class member and sustainability specialist with Blue Diamond Growers. “Industry challenges are not solved in a silo. For me, ALP offers an opportunity to build meaningful relationships that can lead to actionable solutions. The program helps lift the entire industry.”

    Class members are guided by volunteer mentors – many of them ALP graduates – who will help them develop the skills, knowledge and perspective to improve their industry and their communities.

    “As a mentor, I have an opportunity to share what I’ve learned in the last 25 years as a farmer and a conservation biologist,” said mentor Christine Gemperle, a grower and member of ABC’s Board of Directors. “It’s my hope that the next generation of industry leaders can take that knowledge and grow an even better future for California almonds.”

    The leadership program will also offer class members thorough looks at the impacts on the industry of social, economic, environmental and regulatory issues. In addition, participants will take on a yearlong, self-directed project focused on improving the California almond industry. Some past projects have led to important breakthroughs for the industry.

    Leadership class members kicked off their training with a two-day orientation at the ABC offices in Modesto, which included one-on-one talks with their mentors and hearing from Board of Directors Chair Alexi Rodriguez and ABC CEO Clarice Turner.

    “The leadership program has been incredibly enriching so far. I’ve been introduced to so many fascinating topics beyond my usual scope of work,” said Ziv Attia, part of the 2024 class and head of agronomy at Phytech. “Besides that, the staff and program members are amazing, and I look forward to getting to know them better, gaining further insights and building lasting connections that will contribute to the almond industry’s growth.”

    Once again, class members will raise money for California FFA, pledging to raise more than $25,000 in scholarships for high school students interested in pursuing agriculture in college. Through the years, ALP has raised more than $320,000 for FFA.

    The 2024 Almond Leadership class members are Ziv Attia of Bakersfield and Phytech; Andy Barahate of Kerman andCentral California Almond Growers Association; Gurajan Brar of Madera and Brar & Son Farms; Matthew Brocato of Fresno and Phytech; Mark Cavallero of Madera and Sierra Valley Almonds; Zachary Days of Patterson and Cal Coast Almond Processing Inc.; Mallory Dodds of Fresno and Gowan USA; Ryan Hackett of Modesto and Gold Leaf Farming; Brandon Heinrich of Modesto and B&M Orchards; Amanda Hernandez of Hollister and TriCal Inc.; Victoria Lee of Sacramento and Blue Diamond Growers; Sutter Long of Corning and Bayer Crop Science; Antonio Lopez of Woodland and Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation; Ryan McCoon of Escalon and Cultiva; Edgar Perez of Modesto andAmerican AgCredit; Jeevan Sandhu of Yuba City and Wilbur Ellis; Erik Stanek of Sacramento and Blue Diamond Growers; and Delaney Woolwine of Fresno and Harris Woolf California Almonds.

    About California Almonds

    Almonds from California are a healthy, natural, wholesome and quality food. The Almond Board of California promotes almonds with a research-based approach to responsible farming, production and marketing on behalf of the more than 7,600 almond growers and processors in California, many of whom have third- and fourth-generation family operations. Established in 1950 and based in Modesto, California, ABC is a non-profit organization administering a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the USDA. For more information on ABC or California almonds, visit Almonds.com.

  • Hall of Famer Deion Sanders Owns His Prime with California Almonds This Season

    Hall of Fame athlete and now collegiate coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders and California Almonds are teaming up for a partnership of a lifetime to help consumers own their PRIME. Being in your prime is a mindset, and the grind to own your prime never stops. That’s why Coach Prime and California Almonds are encouraging people to be smart about recovery. Almonds are rich in nutrients that can help with exercise recovery – making them THE food to own your prime.

    A perfect exercise food, almonds may improve your recovery response from physical activity. Initial research, funded by the Almond Board of California, conducted among 64 U.S. adults ages 30-65 who are occasional exercisers found that most study participants who ate almonds experienced reduced fatigue and tension during muscle recovery, increased leg and lower back strength, and decreased muscle damage during the first day of recovery.

    Coach Prime knows hard work means being strategic about recovery, which is why he adds almonds to his routine for their exercise recovery benefits. Prime Time never ends whether you’re a weekend warrior or a competitive athlete – there’s no “off the clock,” so you have to keep that energy, confidence and consistency up, something Coach Prime instills in his team.

    “You can’t achieve your PRIME unless you put in the work…DAILY! In order to BE YOUR BEST YOU, you gotta recover with the right stuff,” says Sanders. “It’s all about consistency! I’m partnering with California Almonds to share how almonds help me stay PRIME all the time. IT DON’T STOP, BABY!”

    Catch Coach Prime in action with California Almonds at the beginning of the NCAA football season with advertisements airing on national and cable TV, on CBS, Fox, ESPN and CBS Sports, social media and more. For more inspiration on how to own your prime from Coach Prime himself, visit almonds.com and follow California Almonds on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

    About California Almonds

    California Almonds make life better by what we grow and how we grow. The Almond Board of California promotes natural, wholesome and quality almonds through leadership in strategic market development, innovative research, and accelerated adoption of industry best practices on behalf of the more than 7,600 almond farmers and processors in California, most of whom are multi-generational family operations. Established in 1950 and based in Modesto, California, the Almond Board of California is a non-profit organization that administers a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture.

  • New Directors of Almond Board of CA Begin Terms

    The new Board of Directors of the Almond Board of California (ABC) took their seats on Thursday with five voting members elected in 2023 – four of them incumbents – beginning new terms to help guide ABC’s support of one of California’s largest crops.

    Board members, whose terms officially began Aug. 1, also re-elected Alexi Rodriguez as chair and elected Alicia Rockwell as the new vice chair.

    “Our industry continues to endure hard times,” said Rodriguez. “This board understands that intimately, and we have a strong group of individuals who are incredibly committed to doing our part to get beyond our current challenges successfully.”

    The 10-member ABC board has five grower members – three representing independent growers and two representing cooperative growers – and five handler members, also with three independent and two co-op representatives. Some members sit in three-year seats, others in one-year positions.

    The grower representatives elected or re-elected in the 2023 elections are:

    • Paul Ewing, an independent from RPAC, LLC in Los Banos. He was re-elected to a one-year term.
    • Kelli Evans, a co-op grower from Evans Farming in Live Oak, who previously served as an alternate. She was elected to a three-year term.

    The handler representatives were re-elected in all three positions this year. They are:

    • Alexi Rodriguez, an independent handler with Campos Brothers in Caruthers, who was re-elected to a three-year term.
    • Darren Rigg, an independent handler from Minturn Nut Co. Inc. in Le Grand. He was re-elected to a one-year term.
    • Alicia Rockwell, a co-op handler with Blue Diamond Growers from Sacramento, who was re-elected to a three-year term.

    Also, three grower and three handler alternates were elected or re-elected:

    • Katie Staack, an independent grower with Grizzly Nut, LLC from Hughson, was re-elected.
    • Brad Klump, an independent grower with BKI Exports, Inc. in Escalon, was elected for the remaining two years of a previously unfilled three-year term.
    • George Goshgarian Jr., a co-op grower with Goshgarian Farming Co. in Fowler, was elected to an alternate grower position after serving as a voting member and previous vice-chair.
    • Chad DeRose, an independent handler with Famoso Nut Co., LLC in McFarland, was re-elected.

     

    • Ron Fisher, and independent handler with Fisher Nut Co. in Modesto, was re-elected.
      • Dean LaVallee, a co-op handler with Blue Diamond Growers in Sacramento, was also re-elected.

    In addition, Laura Gerhard, a co-op handler with Blue Diamond Growers in Sacramento, was selected by Blue Diamond to serve the final two years in the alternate seat formerly held by the retired Mark Jansen.

    This is the full board:

    VOTING MEMBERS                                                                                      TERM

    Grower #1:            Paul Ewing, RPAC, LLC                                                 1 year

    Grower #2:            Brandon Rebiero, Gold Leaf Farming                            3 years

    Grower #3:            Joe Gardiner, Treehouse California Almonds, LLC       3 years

    Handler #1:           Alexi Rodriguez, Campos Brothers                                3 years

    Handler #2:           Bob Silveira, Vann Family Orchards                              3 years

    Handler #3:           Darren Rigg, Minturn Nut Co. Inc.                                  1 year

    Co-op Grower #1: Kelli Evans, Evans Farming                                            3 years

    Co-op Grower #2: Christine Gemperle, Gemperle Orchards                      3 years

    Co-op Handler #1: Mel Machado, Blue Diamond Growers                          3 years

    Co-op Handler #2: Alicia Rockwell, Blue Diamond Growers                       3 years

    ALTERNATES

    Grower #1:             Katie Staack, Grizzly Nut, LLC

    Grower #2:             Brad Klump, BKI Exports, Inc.

    Grower #3:             Chris Bettencourt, Suvik Farms

    Handler #1:            Ron Fisher, Fisher Nut Company

    Handler #2:            Dexter Long, Hilltop Ranch, Inc.

    Handler #3:            Chad DeRose, Famoso Nut Company, LLC

    Co-op Grower #1:  George Goshgarian Jr., Goshgarian Farming Co.

    Co-op Grower #2:  Kent Stenderup, Stenderup Ag Partners

    Co-op Handler #1: Laura Gerhard, Blue Diamond Growers

    Co-op Handler #2: Dean LaVallee, Blue Diamond Growers

    The ABC board sets policy and approves budgets in major areas, including global market development, production research, public relations and advertising, nutrition research, statistical reporting, quality control and food safety.

    ABC is a Federal Marketing Order dedicated to promoting California almonds to domestic and international audiences through marketing efforts and by funding and promoting studies about almonds’ health benefits, as well as ensuring sustainable agricultural practices and food safety.

    About California Almonds

    California almonds make life better by what we grow and how we grow. The Almond Board of California promotes natural, wholesome and quality almonds through leadership in strategic market development, innovative research, and accelerated adoption of industry best practices on behalf of the more than 7,600 almond farmers and processors in California, most of whom are multi-generational family operations. Established in 1950 and based in Modesto, California, ABC is a non-profit organization that administers a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For more information on the Almond Board of California or almonds, visit Almonds.com or check out California Almonds on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and the California Almonds blog.