Need good news for COVID-19 economy? Central Valley almond crop is record by far
The California almond harvest will hit 3 billion pounds for the first time ever, a federal agency projected Tuesday.
The report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service shows that at least one pillar of the Modesto-area economy remains strong even as the coronavirus pandemic exacts its toll.
The projection is 18 percent higher than last year’s record crop of 2.55 billion pounds. And it shows the harvest roughly doubling over the past decade.
California provides about 80 percent of the world almond supply, bring about $6.1 billion to growers last year, NASS said. Nearly a third of the state’s volume comes from Stanislaus, Merced and San Joaquin counties.
Several thousand people work in the orchards and in processing plants. The largest player, Blue Diamond Growers of Sacramento, just finished expanding its Turlock and Salida plants.
First of two projections
The report is based on a telephone survey of 500 growers between April 20 and May 6. The nuts reach full size by this time of year but need to mature before the August-October harvest.
Growers reported generally successful pollination by honeybees thanks to dry weather in late February and early March. They also did not have to deal with frost, hail or other weather damage.
“Expectations of higher than average yields were reported across the state,” the report said. “Coupled with a large increase in bearing acreage, the 2020 crop is estimated to be the largest on record.”
A second and final estimate will be released July 7, based on actual measurements of developing nuts by NASS employees.
Prices to growers
Tuesday’s report did not estimate the average prices to be paid to growers for the 2020 crop. They have stabilized at $2.39 to $2.53 per pound over the past four years. Too high a price, such as the $4 in 2014, can drive off some buyers. Too low a price, like the 91 cents in 2001, means no profit on the farm.
The Almond Board of California, based in Modesto, said the boom coincides with efforts by growers to conserve water, reduce pesticide use and make use of pruned limbs and other orchard waste.
“Almond acreage and production continue to increase as California almond growers further invest in precision agriculture and responsible best practices,” President and CEO Richard Waycott said in a news release.
This story was originally published May 13, 2020 at 1:17 PM.
