US (CA): Early almond harvest expected

An early bloom and warm weather are two of the factors that have contributed to what will likely be an early start to this year's almond harvest in California. Despite water shortages, the state's growers are expecting a crop on par with last year's crop.

“This year, I expect the harvest to begin a month earlier than the one from last year, and last year's was also early,” said Freddy Fernandez of Turkhan Foods. “I believe we'll start shaking trees around the middle or the third week in July.” This year's bloom was also about a month early, and with fewer than normal chill hours during winter, warm weather spurred on quick development. The latest objective measurement report from the USDA estimates this year's production will reach 1.80 billion pounds, which is four percent less than last year's crop. While that's not a steep drop, there are many things playing into this season that makes it difficult to tell how the season will play out.

“We don't know what effect the hot weather will have, we don't know what effect the early start will have and we don't know what effect the water allotment will have,” said Fernandez. “It's too early to tell.”

A continued water shortage in California has affected all growers. Growers in the southern part of the state are especially affected since they don't have access to delta water like growers in the northern part of the state. A large portion of the state's crop is grown in the southern part of the state, so almond growers are taking measures to operate with less water.

“Growers are in tune with how vital water is,” said Fernandez. “They're using technology, like drip systems, to minimize the amount of water being used.” If water shortages persist, growers will have to continue to find ways to do more with less because demand for almonds shows no sign of letting up.

“We ship to 35 markets and we constantly get inquiries from all over the world,” said Fernandez, “and we really can't keep up with demand that keeps increasing.”

For more information:

Freddy Fernandez

+1 209 982 9933