CROP REPORTS

Almond Growers Bring in
Another Record Shattering Crop

California almond grower’s produced a crop this year that will shatter all previous records, possibly by as much as 300 million pounds.

After surpassing the billion-pound mark for the first time ever just eight years ago, the state growers are forecasting a harvest of a little less than 2 billion pounds of almonds this year. But no one seems concerned about finding markets for the sixth record-breaking crop in the last 10 years.

“Sure we can sell it; the demand for almonds is so good. I don’t know if we’ll reach the 1.95 billion pounds estimated, but it’s bigger than any crop to date. The record was 1.65 billion pounds in 2008, and we had 1.62 billion pounds last year. This one is definitely much bigger; this is 300 million pounds more than the crop of 2008,” said Scott Phippen, who grows, handles, packs and ships almonds in the Mateca area of San Joaquin County.

California produces roughly 80 percent of the world’s almonds and demand for almonds as a healthy food continue to increase worldwide.

“The global economy is a huge part of our business. We export more than half of our crop. Right now the market is very stable. The handlers are booked through the end of November, so there are fewer offers being made. It will keep prices strong at least until the 1st of December and maybe longer,” Phippen said.

The Almond Board of California has identified China and India as the two top priority development markets. China has already passed Germany as the No. 1 export market for California almonds, while India has made its way into the top 5.

Almond exports to China and India increased 25 percent last year and both Almond Board and USDA economists say they expect almond shipments to China and other emerging economies to enjoy sustained, strong growth in the years ahead.

Source: California Farm Bureau Federation

 

Walnut Growers Bring in Another High Quality, Bumper Crop

At an estimated 485,000 tons of walnuts, growers are bringing in a bumper crop this year – only about 4% smaller than last year’s huge 503,000 ton crop.

Dennis Balint, chief executive officer of the California Walnut Commission and executive director of California Walnut Board, said the size of the nuts and the quality of the nuts are outstanding, so he expects prices to remain high this year.

“Demand is strong, and I think prices will remain very good,” he said.

Michael Andersen, a partner in Andersen and Sons Ranch said, “Walnut Prices are through the roof. Growers are going to do very well.”

Sales have continued to rise even in a down economy, and that is encouraging for growers.

“The biggest driver is the export side. The Chinese and the Turks have really pushed the expansion of walnuts,” Andersen said.

Source: California Farm Bureau Federation

 

2011 Pistachio Crop Expected to be the 2nd Largest in US History

As the two-month-long pistachio harvest winds down, growers are sporting smiles similar to the ones on their unique and popular green-hued nut.

Handlers and pistachio-business leaders report the second largest crop in the history of U.S. pistachio cultivation—in an “off” year for the alternate-bearing trees. In addition, prices and markets remain strong.

Richard Matoian, executive director of American Pistachio Growers, said early crop estimates ranged from 400 million to 450 million pounds, but deliveries as of mid-October totaled 446 million pounds, with another 10 million to 20 million pounds expected by the end of harvest.

“It was a bit of a surprise to top the 450 million-pound mark,” Matoian said. “But with the demand for pistachios, we see that as a positive.”

Last year’s record crop of pistachios totaled 528 million pounds, a significant jump from the 2009 total of 354 million pounds.

“Last year’s crop was the best ever, but this is another exceptional year,” reported Jeff Gibbons, plant manager for Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella. Even with additional acreage coming into production every year, this year’s crop size and quality were exceptional, Gibbons added.

Although the 2011 pistachio crop is smaller in size, it had a lower percentage of nuts that did not open naturally. Growers watch the split percentages carefully, because unopened nuts bring a lower return. According to Gibbons, a number of factors, including weather, determine if a pistachio nut shell will naturally split open during the ripening process. This year, 19 percent of the crop had closed shells, compared to last year’s 23.5 percent.

Andy Anzaldo of Paramount Farms said a consistent attribute of this year’s crop is size. This year’s pistachios will be the largest ever—very favorable from a marketing standpoint, he said. California grows 98 percent of the U.S. pistachio crop, with Arizona and New Mexico supplying the remaining 2 percent. Matoian said he sees the potential for more growth in Arizona due to lower land costs. Processors are already looking ahead and planning expansions to handle the larger crops. The seven large processors who handle 95 percent of the crop in California are all planning to increase capacity to meet demand, Matoian confirmed.

Source: California Farm Bureau Federation