Promising year anticipated for tree nuts

It looks like a good year ahead for California’s pistachio, almond and walnut crops, despite a slightly delayed harvest because of winter and spring rainfall and some cooler-than-usual temperatures.

The typical harvest start for Wonderful brand pistachios was delayed by about two weeks and will peak in late September and conclude in October, said Michael Hohmann, executive vice president and chief financial officer for Los Angeles-based The Wonderful Company.

The company, which represents 300 growers, “will deliver the same, reliable and industry-setting quality of pistachios that our brand has always been known for,” he said.

Wonderful Pistachios recently expanded its product line with two new flavors: In-Shell Seasoned Salt and No Shells Sea Salt & Pepper.

“Seasoned Salt is our newest in-shell flavor in over 10 years,” Hohmann said.

Industrywide, California pistachio growers are expected to produce 1.3 billion pounds of the nuts this year, said Richard Matoian, president and CEO of Fresno, Calif.-based American Pistachio Growers.

Pistachios are an alternate-bearing crop, and 2023 will be an “on year,” he said. Thanks to new acreage, the state’s pistachio production is expected to reach 2 billion pounds by 2030. About 70% of the crop is exported, largely to the European Union and China.

The almond harvest is in full swing at Mariani Nut Co., Winters, Calif., as the company gears up to meet increased fall demand, said Kristen Holden, senior brand manager. The almond harvest should continue through October.

The company’s walnut harvest should run from September to November, and Mariani will harvest California pecans in November. Holden said she expects an excellent quality crop this year, despite heavy rainfall during the winter and early spring.

In a continuing effort to ensure consumer satisfaction with its nut products, Mariani has taken steps to significantly reduce rancidity in its walnuts in the company’s warehouses as well as in supermarkets and consumer pantries, Holden said.

Mariani increased its cold storage capacity to ensure that bulk and packaged products are stored under proper conditions, including cool temperatures, dark containers and airtight packaging.

Mariani also researched methods to reduce oxidation in sub-optimal conditions, such as when walnuts are exposed to light on retail shelves or stored in a home pantry that is not temperature controlled.

“After a multiyear study, we found that by adding natural, flavorless rosemary extract to our walnuts, we can dramatically extend freshness for consumers even when in these imperfect storage settings,” Holden said.

California’s walnut production for 2023 is forecast at 790,000 tons, an increase of 5% from the 752,000 tons produced in 2022, according to an early September estimate from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The forecast is based on 385,000 bearing acres — a 4% drop from 2022’s estimated 400,000 bearing acres.

“The crop is currently an estimated six to eight days behind schedule, and we’ve heard that some of the first deliveries from growers in the southern part of the state were received around Labor Day,” Jennifer Olmstead, senior director of U.S. marketing and communications for the Folsom-based California Walnut Commission and Board, said Sept. 7.

NASS estimated that California’s 2023 almond crop will come in at 2.6 billion meat pounds, 1% above last year’s 2.57 billion pounds.

It was too soon to know what, if any, impact Tropical Storm Hilary, which hit the state in late August, will have on that estimate, said Rick Kushman, manager, media relations, global communications for the Modesto-based Almond Board of California.

Some growers had almonds on the ground when the storm hit and had to wait until they dried out before sending them to huller/shellers and handlers, he said. Nuts on the trees should not have been affected.

Late fall/winter is a busy time for tree nut sales.

“Our top-selling seasons for Wonderful pistachios begins in late fall through the end of winter, when we see an overlap with the festive holiday season through the end of football season,” Hohmann said. “During this time, we encourage our retailers to stock up on bigger size bags and our larger-than-life point-of-sale displays because we know they drive incremental sales volumes and impulse purchases from shoppers.”            

The fourth quarter accounted for 35% of 2022 retail walnut sales, Olmstead said.

“From brunch to charcuterie boards to stuffing and other side dishes, there are numerous occasions to enjoy walnuts throughout the holidays — and beyond,” she said. “Consumers value walnuts for their nutritional benefits and satisfying crunch, and they can easily be incorporated into daily diets and a wide variety of global cuisines.”