DOCSLIB.ORG

2013 Almond Almanac

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
2013 Almond Almanac 2013 TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 Board of Directors 3 Introduction from CEO + Board Chair 4 Strategic Priorities of ABC 5 ABC Programs + Budget 6 California Almond Industry Overview 7 Historical Shipments 8 Position Report of California Almonds 9 Destination Overview of California Almonds 10 World Destinations 12 World Almond Production 13 California Crop + Almond Acreage The California Almond Industry 14 Top Ten Exports by Value 15 California Almond Production by County 16 California Almond Receipts by County + Variety At Your Fingertips 17 Top Ten Almond Varieties + Acreage 18 California Almond Crop Estimates vs. Almond Board of California (ABC) promotes almonds through its research-based approach to all Actual Receipts aspects of farming, production and marketing on behalf of California Almond growers and handlers. 20 California Almond Acreage + Farm Value The Almond Almanac is ABC’s annual report, which outlines the programs and projects that power 22 California Almond Crop-Size History vs. the industry toward meeting its vision, and it provides a comprehensive analysis of the production Inedible Percentage and marketing of California Almonds. 23 Competing Nuts The Almond Almanac is prepared by ABC on a crop-year basis, spanning August 1 through July 31, 24 Research Program Introduction 25 Production + Environmental Research and includes comprehensive historical information about almond production, acreage and varieties, 27 Almond Quality + Food Safety as well as shipment and market information. The statistical content is compiled using various 28 Nutrition Research handler forms required by the industry’s Federal Marketing Order. Additional data, including crop 29 Global Market Development Overview estimates and farm price, are supplied by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, Pacific 30 Marketing Overview Region Field Office (NASS/PRO). 31 Social Media Overview 32 Consumer Advertising Overview 34 Consumer Public Relations Overview 36 Trade Stewardship Program 38 Market Access 39 Industry Relations 40 California Almond Sustainability Program 1 Introduction from CEO + Board Chair Dear Almond Community Members and Allied Stakeholders, 2013 represented a bit of a break from our recent history. Over the past few years we have become used to ever-increasing crops and shipments, and this year struck a bit of a different tone. 2013 When the final numbers were tallied, the 2012/13 crop came up short by more than 200 million pounds Board of Directors and, as a result, shipments decreased slightly from record levels. The rapidly emerging Chinese and Middle Eastern markets took a hit due to new regulations and civil strife, and the all-important Western European Bill Harp Mark Jansen Bill Brush Scott Hunter market declined by 1%. The U.S. market, however, continued its rapid growth, advancing by more than 7%, Chair Vice Chair and other markets such as Mexico, Russia, Australia, Chile, Indonesia and Brazil expanded at historic rates. VISION: Once again, the diversity of our markets provided stability. And that stability, along with increased pricing throughout the year, produced the most robust grower returns per acre ever achieved by the industry. To bring great taste, health and vitality Stability and financial strength result in growth, and with fair returns on industry assets, almond growers and to people around the world through the enjoyment of California Almonds. handlers are poised to provide the world with ever-increasing amounts of what is arguably the best food on the planet—California Almonds. Tied to the very optimistic outlook for the almond community are the significant agricultural hurdles that MISSION: need to be surmounted for all to be well. The mind-bogglingly complex ground and surface water challenges To make California Almonds essential to facing the state are front and center as we enter another crop year with reservoirs and aquifers being overly customers and consumers worldwide taxed. Add to that the high cost and uncertainties of pollination services for almond growers, and it’s more Mike Mason Dexter Long John O’Shaughnessy through innovative research, market than evident that we have significant challenges in need of solutions. But that’s what almond industry development and industry support. stakeholders have always done—solve problems. There’s no course correction needed in the proactive attitude we take to problem solving, other than, perhaps, a greater sense of urgency. The ABC Board of Directors and staff look forward to working with the entire almond community throughout the year in finding remedies to ensure its growth and prosperity. Please avail yourselves of the abundant Almond Board resources to further the success of your business and the well-being of us all. Dave Phippen Dinesh Bajaj John Thoming Richard Waycott, President and CEO Bill Harp, Chair 2 2 013 3 Strategic Priorities of Almond Board of California Program Budget Allocation fiscal year 2012/13 Invest in programs and research that make almonds a Crop of Choice for California Almond Quality + Food Safety 2% ■ Promote sustainability of almond supply Environmental Research 2% Almond Board Technical + Regulatory Affairs 2% ■ Enhance the industry-wide food safety system Industry Services 1% of California Production Research 3% ■ Identify and support basic and applied research to enhance production efficiency Programs + Budget Scientific Affairs/Nutrition Research 3% Established Markets 43% Invest in programs and research that build market demand Key programs for ABC contribute to meeting our for almonds, making them the Nut of Choice Administration 14% — vision and mission. These areas include a ■ Continue to expand the understanding of the health benefits and quality of almonds in support of market development strategies comprehensive global marketing program in established, emerging and exploratory markets; ■ Implement programs to develop new markets and maintain existing ones nutrition, production, environmental and technical ■ Implement actions that mitigate trade barriers research; a sustainability program; industry ■ Improve market development resource allocation mechanisms and processes communications outreach; and more. Build an ABC organization that optimizes its effectiveness ABC programs are funded by a grower assessment in establishing and executing goals placed on each pound of almonds produced. Each ■ Ensure that ABC representatives understand and adhere to fiduciary responsibility standards year, the ABC Board of Directors, made up of Emerging Markets 30% ■ Implement Board of Director development initiatives, such as succession planning, formal both growers and almond handlers, approves the Source: Almond Board of California. orientation, board performance assessments and skills development and acquisition allocation given to each program area. ABC staff is ■ Optimize staff and committee structures and processes responsible for implementing the programs detailed ■ Articulate needs related to advocacy and seek out possible alternatives for meeting these needs on the following pages. 4 2 013 5 California Almond Industry Overview Carry-In as a Percentage of Prior Year Shipments crop years 2003/04–2013/14 California’s Central Valley has ideal conditions for growing almonds with its mild climate, rich soil and abundant sunshine. California Almonds make up about Historical 30% 80% of the global and virtually 100% of the domestic supply. According to the 2007 USDA Ag Census, there are around 6,500 California Almond farms. 30% Of those, 72% are family owned and 51% are less than 50 acres. Shipments 25% 22% 18% 18% During the 2012/13 crop year California Almonds produced the second largest crop on record at 1.88 billion pounds of almonds on 790,000 bearing acres. 20% 16% 17% 15% In the same year, 106 handlers shipped 1.87 billion pounds of almonds, a 1.7% decrease from the prior year. Crop year 2012/13 production was the second 15% 14% 15% 12% 13% largest crop on record at 1.88 billion pounds. The 2013/14 crop is forecasted at 1.85 billion 10% pounds and is based on an estimated 810,000 carry-in percentage 5% Almond Production by County 2012/13 Distribution of Crop by Handler Size 2012/13 bearing acres. 0% California Almond shipments decreased 1.7% in 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 Number of Percentage of 106 Handlers 2012/13 to 1.87 billion pounds. The U.S. remains estimated Handlers Crop Handled TEHAMA >100 million pounds the single largest market, up 8% to a new record of Source: Almond Board of California. GLENN 50–100 million pounds <1M pounds 24 <1% 588 million pounds and accounting for 32% of total .................................................. BUTTE shipments. For the fourth year, California shipped 1–49 million pounds 1 –24M pounds 58 23% Historical Crop Size + Shipments vs. Farm Price crop years 2003/04–2012/13 YUBA 25–49M pounds 15 28% more than 1 billion pounds to export destinations, ......................................................................................................... SUTTER Acreage making FY 2012/13 the second largest export year Crop size Shipments Farm price $3.25 .......................................... 50–74M pounds 5 17% 2,000 YOLO with 1.28 billion pounds shipped. ............................................. >75M pounds 4 33% 1,800 $3.00 ....................................... $2.81 COLUSA ............................................. STANISLAUS 1,600 MADERA $2.75 ......................... $2.58 SOLANO ...................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Political Ecologies of Almond Production in California and Spain
    UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA CRUZ Orchard Entanglements: Political Ecologies of Almond Production in California and Spain A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES by Emily D. Reisman June 2020 The Dissertation of Emily D. Reisman is approved: ____________________________________ Professor Madeleine Fairbairn, chair ____________________________________ Professor Julie Guthman ____________________________________ Professor Carol Shennan ____________________________________ Professor Andrew Mathews _______________________________________ Quentin Williams Acting Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies i © Emily D. Reisman ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract ....................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgements .................................................................................................... vi Introduction ..................................................................................................................1 Orchard Entanglements ..............................................................................................1 Approach & Methods .................................................................................................2 Results ........................................................................................................................5 Chapter 1: The Great Almond Debate: a subtle double movement in California
    [Show full text]
  • Almond Almanac
    ALMOND BOARD OF CALIFORNIA 20 A 20 L M ALMOND ALMANAC 2020 20 TABLE OF CONTENTS 20 ANNUAL REPORT INTRODUCING THE CALIFORNIA ALMOND COMMUNITY 2 Mission + Vision Welcome to the 2020 3 2020 Milestones Almond Almanac 4 About Our Community Within these pages you will find a ALMOND BOARD OF CALIFORNIA PROGRAMS comprehensive overview of California almonds—the state’s #1 crop by 6 Programs + Budget acreage, #1 ag export and #2 crop 7 Almond Orchard 2025 Goals by value, and the #1 specialty crop 8 California Almond Sustainability Program export in the U.S. 9 Research Overview 10 Production and Environmental Research For almond farmers and processors, 14 Nutrition Research this is your annual accounting 16 Almond Quality + Food Safety of how your investment in the 17 Global Technical + Regulatory Affairs Almond Board of California (ABC) is 18 Global Communications leveraged to build long-term demand 21 Global Market Development for California almonds around 22 Regional Market Updates the world, as well as protect that demand from erosion due to growing CALIFORNIA ALMOND FACTS AND FIGURES challenges, and an overview of ABC- funded research that underpins the 30 California Almond Forecasts vs. Actual Production continuous improvement efforts of 31 California Almond Crop Estimates vs. Actual Receipts the California almond community. 32 California Almond Acreage + Farm Value 33 Crop Value + Yield per Bearing Acre For anyone interested in California 35 California Almond Production by County almonds, the Almanac provides the 36 California Almond Receipts by County + Variety latest statistics1 about California 37 Top Ten Almond-Producing Varieties almond production, acreage 38 Position Report of California Almonds and varieties, as well as global 39 World Destinations shipment and market information.
    [Show full text]
  • California Drought: How Water Crisis Is Worse for Almonds
    California drought: How water crisis is worse for almonds Peter Fimrite Updated 10:33 pm, Saturday, March 22, 2014 An almond tree is lifted into a wood chipper after farmer Barry Baker decided to sacrifice 1,000 acres of trees to save water in Firebaugh (Fresno County). Photo: Leah Millis, The Chronicle | Buy this photo Atwater, Merced County -- A huge shift away from annual crops to nut trees has transformed the California farm belt over the past two decades and left farmers perilously vulnerable to the severe drought that is currently gripping the state. California farmers have spent past years busily ripping out lettuce, tomatoes and other annual crops in an attempt to sate the nation's growing appetite for almonds, pistachios and other nuts. The delicious perennials are lucrative, but the vast orchards that have been planted throughout the Central Valley require decades-long investments, year-round watering and a commitment from Mother Nature that she is evidently unwilling to make. The crisis is a matter of crop flexibility. During droughts, farmers can fallow fields of lettuce and other crops, then replant them years later, picking up pretty much where they left off. That's not an option for nut trees, which need 10 years of growing and a steady supply of water before they yield enough to pay for themselves. "These orchards are more profitable, which is why the farmers do it," said Jay Lund, the director of the Center for Watershed Sciences at UC Davis. "It brings more money into California so there are a lot of good things about it, but the farmers have to be careful because a drought can be very tough on them." The result is that about one-third of California's agricultural land is, Lund said, "very hard to fallow." Farmers are scrounging for every drop of water they can find - digging wells, tapping aquifers and finding alternative sources.
    [Show full text]
  • Final Report
    Final Report Almond International Networking Ross Skinner Almond Board of Australia (ABA) Project Number: AL12701 AL12701 This project has been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited using the almond industry levy and funds from the Australian Government. Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited (Hort Innovation) makes no representations and expressly disclaims all warranties (to the extent permitted by law) about the accuracy, completeness, or currency of information in Almond International Networking. Reliance on any information provided by Hort Innovation is entirely at your own risk. Hort Innovation is not responsible for, and will not be liable for, any loss, damage, claim, expense, cost (including legal costs) or other liability arising in any way (including from Hort Innovation or any other person’s negligence or otherwise) from your use or non-use of Almond International Networking, or from reliance on information contained in the material or that Hort Innovation provides to you by any other means. ISBN 0 7341 3711 7 Published and distributed by: Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited Level 8, 1 Chifley Square Sydney NSW 2000 Tel: (02) 8295 2300 Fax: (02) 8295 2399 © Copyright 2016 Contents Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 3 Keywords ...................................................................................................................................... 4 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Managing Vegetation for Agronomic and Ecological Benefits in California Nut Orchards
    Managing Vegetation for Agronomic and Ecological Benefits in California Nut Orchards February 2021 MANAGING VEGETATION FOR AGRONOMIC & ECOLOGICAL BENEFITS – CALIFORNIA NUT ORCHARDS PAGE 1 Acknowledgements This report was developed by Environmental Defense Fund with support from Environmental Incentives. We thank Amélie Gaudin, Vivian Wauters and Neal Williams (University of California, Davis); Rex Dufour (National Center for Appropriate Technology) and Lauren Hale (USDA Agricultural Research Service) for their valuable contributions. MANAGING VEGETATION FOR AGRONOMIC & ECOLOGICAL BENEFITS – CALIFORNIA NUT ORCHARDS PAGE 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction .............................................................................. 4 State of Research: Managed Vegetation in Nut Orchards .............. 5 Ecosystem Services and Business Value of Managed Vegetation .......................................... 5 Climate Change Impacts .................................................................................................11 Grower Decision-Making ........................................................... 13 Grower Perceptions ........................................................................................................13 Communication Networks ...............................................................................................16 Key Considerations ................................................................... 17 Selecting Plant Species ...................................................................................................17
    [Show full text]
  • DISSERTATION ESTIMATING the ECONOMIC IMPACTS of BIRD and RODENT DAMAGE to SELECTED CALIFORNIA CROPS Submitted by Karen Susan
    DISSERTATION ESTIMATING THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF BIRD AND RODENT DAMAGE TO SELECTED CALIFORNIA CROPS Submitted by Karen Susan Ilse Gebhardt Department of Economics In partial fulfillment of the requirements For the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado Spring 2011 Doctoral Committee: Advisor: Chuen-mei Fan Alexandra Bernasek David Mushinski Dawn Thilmany ` ABSTRACT ESTIMATING THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF BIRD AND RODENT DAMAGE TO SELECTED CALIFORNIA CROPS This research estimates the direct financial costs and the changes in economic welfare associated with bird and rodent damage to 15 different crop markets in eight agricultural regions in California. Three different models are used to quantify this impact: a meta-analysis to aggregate and analysis a large database of 206 damage estimates from 43 studies related to 15 crops across 6 (of 8) regions of California, a direct financial cost model to identify changes in profits and costs from an individual producer’s perspective, and a combination of an equilibrium displacement model (EDM) and an economic surplus model to estimate changes to producer and consumer surpluses. Using a range of damage estimates calculated from the meta-analysis, results from the direct financial analysis indicate that birds and rodents have a direct financial impact in reducing income from lower production and increasing production costs and was calculated as a range from $1,153 m to $1,726 m. Results from the EDM and economic surplus model are the estimated gain in consumer surplus resulting from an absence of bird and rodent damage and a reduction is between $689.6 m and $$1,148.5 m and the estimated gain in producer surplus is between $396.0 m and $658.8 m.
    [Show full text]
  • The Influence of Chilling and Heat Accumulation on Bloom Timing, Bloom Length and Crop Yield in Almonds (Prunus Dulcis (Mill.))
    THE INFLUENCE OF CHILLING AND HEAT ACCUMULATION ON BLOOM TIMING, BLOOM LENGTH AND CROP YIELD IN ALMONDS (Prunus dulcis (Mill.)) A Thesis presented to the Faculty of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Master of Science in Agriculture, Specialization in Crop Science by Melanie Marie Covert December, 2011 ©2011 Melanie Marie Covert ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ii COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP TITLE: The Influence of Chilling and Heat Accumulation on Bloom Timing, Bloom Length and Crop Yield in Almonds (Prunus dulcis (Mill.)) AUTHOR: Melanie Marie Covert DATE SUBMITTED: December, 2011 COMMITTEE CHAIR: Dr. Mary E. Pedersen, Associate Dean of the College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences COMMITTEE MEMBER: Dr. Lauren Garner, Associate Professor, Horticulture and Crop Sciences COMMITTEE MEMBER: Dr. Jeffery Wong, Associate Professor, Horticulture and Crop Sciences iii ABSTRACT The Influence of Chilling and Heat Accumulation on Bloom Timing, Bloom Length and Crop Yield in Almonds (Prunus dulcis (Mill.)) Melanie Marie Covert Almonds are one of the first commercial nut trees to bloom in early spring and thus are susceptible to temperature patterns prior to and during bloom which affect bloom timing, bloom length, pollination and nut set. Data used in this project include yearly dates of 90% bloom from 1996-2006, bloom length in days and final crop yields in pounds per tree for Nonpareil and Mission varieties. Data were collected from the University of California Cooperative Extension reports on the 1993-2006 Regional Almond Variety Trials in Butte, San Joaquin and Kern Counties. Temperature pattern models in the form of Chill Hours (Chill Hour Model), Chill Units (Chill Unit Model), Chill Portions (Chill Portion Model) and Growing Degree Hours (GDH°) (Heat Model) prior to bloom were used to predict the date of 90% bloom for each variety, site and year.
    [Show full text]
  • Stanislaus County Agricultural Report 2018
    The Importance of Bees TABLE OF CONTENTS Pest Detection 16 Export Certificates 18 Bee Shipment Map 20 Apiary Programs 21 Apiary Trivia 22 Ag Income Facts 23 Crop Report Plus Excerpt 24 Awards & Recognition 25 Letter to CDFA Secretary 1 UCCE Staff / Pollinators 26 Cover Story 2 UCCE Article: Buzz on Bees 27 Top Ten Commodities 3 Ag Commissioner Programs 28 Summary 4 Ag Commissioner Staff 29 Apiary Products 5 Field Crops 6 Fruit & Nut Crops 8 Livestock & Poultry 10 Livestock & Poultry Products 12 Nursery Products 13 Organic/Other Ag 14 Vegetable Crops 15 2018 STANISLAUS COUNTY AGRICULTURAL REPORT STANISLAUS COUNTY AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER Karen Ross, Secretary California Department of Food and Agriculture and The Honorable Board of Supervisors of Stanislaus County Kristin Olsen District 1, Vice-Chairman Vito Chiesa District 2 Terry Withrow District 3, Chairman Milton O’Haire Tom Berryhill District 4 Agricultural Commissioner Sealer of Weights & Measures Jim DeMartini District 5 In accordance with Sections 2279 of the California Food and Agricultural Code, we are pleased to submit Stanislaus County’s Agricultural Report for 2018. This report provides a statistical description of Stanislaus County’s agricultural production. We must emphasize that this report represents gross values of agricultural commodities and does not reflect production costs or profits. The value of agricultural commodities produced last year in Stanislaus County decreased 2% to $3,569,999,000. This represents a small decrease of $78 million from the 2017 value of $3,648,192,000. This report illustrates trends and challenges seen by the county’s growers. Poultry remained a strong industry in Stanislaus County, with chicken values increasing $22 million.
    [Show full text]
  • 2012 Almond Almanac
    2012 Almond Almanac 2 012 Table of Contents 2 Board of Directors 3 Introduction from CEO + Board Chair 4 Strategic Priorities 5 ABC Programs + Budget 6 California Almond Industry Overview 7 Historical Shipments The California Almond Industry 8 Position Report of California Almonds 9 Destination Overview of California Almonds 10 World Destinations At Your Fingertips 12 World Almond Production Almond Board of California (ABC) promotes almonds through its research-based approach to all 13 California Crop + Almond Acreage aspects of farming, production and marketing on behalf of California Almond growers and processors. 14 Top Ten Exports by Value The Almond Almanac is Almond Board’s annual report, which outlines the programs and projects 15 California Almond Production by County that power the industry toward meeting its vision, and it provides a comprehensive analysis of the 16 California Almond Receipts by County + Variety production and marketing of California Almonds. 17 Top Ten California Almond Varieties + Bearing Average The Almond Almanac is prepared by ABC on a crop-year basis, spanning August 1 through July 31, 18 California Almond Crop Estimates vs. and includes comprehensive historical information about almond production, acreage and varieties, Actual Receipts as well as shipment and market information. The statistical content is compiled using various handler 20 California Almond Acreage + Farm Value forms required by the industry’s Federal Marketing Order. Additional data, including crop estimates 22 California Almond Crop-Size
    [Show full text]
  • Bringing Home California's Billion-Pound Baby
    al r u R COOPERATIVESCOOPERATIVESUSDA / Rural Development January/February 2007 Bringing home California's billion-pound baby page 8 COMMENTARY Working for the long term Editor’s note: as part of an interview with Blue Diamond Almond been placed at a Growers leaders that appears on page 8 of this issue, Rural disadvantage Cooperatives asked whether there had been any ramifications at because of this Blue Diamond when one of its sister tree-nut co-ops voted about two action? The busi- year ago to convert to an investor-owned corporation. The answer of ness is now owned Board Chairman Clinton Shick deserves special attention, and is by stockholders printed below. whose economic motivation may be As a former member of the walnut cooperative that con- sharply divergent verted — and one who continues to grow walnuts (as well as from the growers' almonds) — it remains unclear whether the conversion helps interests. The the walnut industry long term. If anything, it confirmed in my "rest of the story" mind that I am on the Blue Diamond board to serve in a way is still to be writ- that benefits all growers in the almond industry. ten, and who can Still, the conversion required us to evaluate their action as say how it will Blue Diamond Chairman Clinton Shick on his a significant event in the co-op world. Blue Diamond didn't almond ranch in Kern County, Calif. Photo by turn out? get to be the world’s largest almond processor and marketer Catherine Merlo But for Blue over night. We've been working at it for 96 years, and the suc- Diamond, it has cess we may enjoy today is made possible by standing on the caused our mem- shoulders of a lot of folks who worked bers to reaffirm their support of the hard way before us.
    [Show full text]
  • Contracting for Pollination Services: Overview and Emerging Issues Brittney K
    4th Quarter 2019 • 34(4) Contracting for Pollination Services: Overview and Emerging Issues Brittney K. Goodrich JEL Classifications: Q11, Q57 Keywords: Almonds, Beekeeping, Contracts, Ecosystem services, Honey bees, Pollination services Introduction For the last decade, growing attention has been focused on the “plight of the honey bees,” referring to concerns about honey bee colony health and abnormally high mortality rates. Far less attention has been paid to the “plight of the beekeepers,” who face the challenge of maintaining those struggling colonies. Honey bee colony health is often thought of as symbolic of the health of the natural environment, when in reality most honey bee colonies in the United States are managed as livestock by commercial beekeepers (Daberkow, Korb, and Hoff, 2009). Beekeepers all over the world have faced ever-increasing challenges with honey bee colony health, all while demand for honey bee pollination services has increased (Aizen and Harder, 2009). In the United States, California almond production is the largest user of pollination services. This one-month pollination event beginning in mid-February has been called the “Super Bowl of beekeeping” (Lowe, 2018) and utilized an estimated 82% of the total U.S. population of honey bee colonies as of January 1, 2018 (USDA, 2018; CDFA and USDA, 2019). According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), almond pollination revenues in 2016 made up roughly one-third of U.S. beekeeping income and is therefore one of the key influences on the economic sustainability of U.S. commercial beekeeping operations. Contractual arrangements determine the profitability of a beekeeper’s decision to partake in almond pollination.
    [Show full text]
  • 2007 Merced County Annual Reoprt on Agriculture
    Sent to teachThat the spring days us Merced County Annual Report on Agriculture Merced CountyDepartment of2139 Agriculture WardrobeMerced, Avenue California 95341-6445 Almond blossom, Soon will reach us. Merced County Almonds In Merced County Almonds are Merced County’s largest tree crop in total dollar value and acreage. They rank at number three in production value for all crops grown in Merced County. California is the only state in the United States that commercially produces almonds. Almonds are the largest U.S. horticultural export. Nearly 80 countries import almonds pro- duced in Merced County. Almonds originated in ancient China and Central Asia. They were fi rst introduced to California by Franciscan Padres in the mid 1700’s. Unfortunately the cool weather of the coastal climate hampered the growth of the almond trees and the crop failed. A century went by be- fore anyone else tried to produce almonds in California. Fortunately, this second attempt succeeded and almonds began to fl ourish in California’s Central Valley. By the 1870’s, research and crossbreeding introduced many of the almond varieties that we know today. Our 1939 Crop Re- port lists almond acreage at 3,108 with a total value of $360,340. Production was reported at 1,720 tons resulting in an approximate price of $0.10 lb. Over the past 20 years almond acre- age has increased over 36% from 64,532 to 87,881 acres. Prices have fl uctu- ated over the years with a high of $2.85 per pound in 2005. The 2007 crop brought an average price of $1.80 per pound for a total production value of $311,310,000.
    [Show full text]