US (CA): Horizon Nut Company bringing hundreds to drought striken area
On a 1,200 acre dirt plot near Firebaugh the Horizon Nut Company will build a new pistachio processing facility. Dirt will be turned within the next month. Company president Ted Sheely said, "The first phase will be ready to accept pistachios for hauling, drying and processing for the 2015 crop."
The grower-owned Horizon Nut Company operates plants in Tulare and Lost Hills. The pistachio market has grown substantially over the last decade with demand rising in the US, China and Europe.
Despites water challenges more acreage continues to be planted. The new facility will be more convenient for many growers to move pistachios after they're shaken from the tree. Sheely said, "I would have to say we don't have enough capacity for what's in the ground today."
Sheely said the new plant will add 170 full-time jobs and 400 seasonal jobs when it opens in August of 2015.
Source: abclocal.com
