California is forecast to produce 2.1 billion pounds of almonds this year, breaking the previous 2011 record of 2.03 billion pounds according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The agency’s latest estimate is 8% above its initial crop forecast for the year and 5% above last year’s harvest. Even with the extra output, those in the industry believe that the market will absorb the excess to meet the approximately 5.5% increase in almond consumption being seen now. To counteract the effects of the drought that has been gripping California, growers have been fallowing annual crops to divert water resources to the trees, have replaced reduced river water supplies with well pumping, and have been purchasing water from other growers while employing conservation techniques and using monitoring methods. The increase in production is due largely to an increase in acreage – this year there are 860,000 acres of almond orchards in the state compared to 840,000 last year and 570,000 ten years ago. Less pest and disease issues because of the drought have also boosted production.
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