California almond production up 3%
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s first forecast for 2021 California almond production is 3.20 billion pounds, 3% above last year’s production of 3.12 billion pounds.
The USDA said forecasted bearing acreage of almonds for 2021 is a record high of 1,330,000. Predicted yield is 2,410 pounds per acre, 3% lower than the 2020 yield of 2,490 pounds per acre. The subjective production forecast is based on a telephone survey conducted from April 19 to May 6 from a sample of 500 almond growers, according to a news release.
The 2021 almond crop experienced a mostly dry winter throughout California. Although there were a few scattered storms, snowpack and water levels are well below normal. Warm temperatures provided excellent bloom conditions, with peak bloom occurring in late February and early March. Excellent growing conditions in April help the crop’s development and disease pressure was low, according to the release. Expectations of above-average yields overall, but lower than in 2020, were reported, with variability showing across regions and age of the trees. The 2021 crop is estimated to be the largest on record, the USDA said.
