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. 40 Domestic + Export Shipments The Almanac is published annually by 41 Top Global Destinations the Almond Board of California, the 42 California’s Top Ten Valued Commodities Federal Marketing Order supporting 43 Domestic per Capita Consumption of Tree Nuts the 7,600 almond farmers and 102 processors in California. RESOURCES 44 Doing More Through Collaboration 45 Almond Board Resources 1. The statistical analyses found in the report are prepared on a crop-year basis, spanning August 1 through July 31, and include both current and historical information. The statistical content is compiled using handler forms required by the industry’s Federal Marketing Order. Additional data, including crop estimates and farm price, are supplied by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, Pacifi c Region Field Offi ce. 1 1 ALMOND BOARD OF CALIFORNIA ANNUAL REPORT INTRODUCTION MILESTONES Amidst the challenges brought on by 2020, the 20 California almond industry and Almond Board of California (ABC) hit many milestones that propelled 20 the industry forward. Here are a few examples: VISION California almonds make 70 YEARS STRONG: Launched in 1950, the Almond Board life better by what we of California celebrated 70 years of industry service. grow and how we grow. NEW WEBSITE: ABC debuted the new Almonds.com in 11 regions around the world. MISSION Expand global consumption LAUNCHED THREE NEW AD CAMPAIGNS: ABC’s Global Market Development team launched new advertising campaigns in three of California almonds through countries: the UK, India and China. Learn more on pages 21-29. leadership in strategic market development, CALIFORNIA ALMOND SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM CASP: innovative research and ABC offi cially launched the CASP Supply Chain Program. accelerated adoption of Learn more on page 8. industry best practices. ALMONDS LOVE BEES: 2020 marked 25 years of investment in bee health research, and ABC launched the Five Point Pollinator Protection Plan and Bee+ Scholarship. Learn more on page 11. NUTRITION RESEARCH PROGRAM CELEBRATES 25 YEARS: Over the past 25 years, ABC published 185 nutrition research studies, 183 under the direction of Dr. Karen Lapsley, who retired after 21 years of service. Learn more on pages 14–15. STRATEGIC INNOVATION: To guide future ABC-funded research, staff engaged with Strategic Ag Innovation Committee workgroups to develop long-term strategies in the areas of harvest, irrigation, breeding and pest management. Learn more on page 10. CORONAVIRUS ASSISTANCE: Almonds were included in USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program and Section 32 food purchase program through efforts led by the Almond Board and Almond Alliance of California. Read more on page 44. PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ATLANTIC: ABC’s Sustainability Communications team collaborated with The Atlantic to produce an online article and short documentary highlighting the almond community’s responsible growing practices. Read more at bit.ly/almondatlantic. 2 3 ALMOND BOARD OF CALIFORNIA ANNUAL REPORT INTRODUCTION Distribution of Crop by Handler Size About Our Community 91% 7,600 crop year 2019/20 Number of Handlers Family Farms FARMERS 46 grow almonds Percentage of Crop Handled FARMERS in California, producing nearly 32% The California almond growing 80% of the 29% 26 community is driven by family farmers. global supply. 22% 17% According to the most recently available USDA 15 Census of Agriculture data, there are around 7,600 almond 11 farms in California. Many are owned and operated by third- 102 4 <1% and fourth-generation farmers who live on their land and HANDLERS plan to pass it on to their children and grandchildren. 9% Other process California Less Than 1–24 25–49 50–99 More Than 100 Source: USDA 2012 Census of Agriculture. almonds. Many are 1 Million Pounds Million Pounds Million Pounds Million Pounds Million Pounds also family owned 53% and operated. 1–49 acres Where Almonds Are Grown ORCHARDS production by county | crop year 2019/20 Nearly 70% of California DESTINATIONS almond farms are 100 acres or less. DOMESTIC Tehama Small or large, California’s almond farmers take a long- At 33% share of .................................................. Butte term view of success based on respect for the land and Yuba shipments, the ........................................... Sutter local communities. Regardless of size, all almond .......................................... Yolo Glenn .............................................................. 16% ............................................. farmers recognize that growth must be matched by an 14% .................................. 250+ acres 50–99 U.S. Colusa ............................................. Stanislaus unprecedented commitment to environmental responsibility. Madera 17% acres ......................... remains the Solano .................................................... 100–249 .................................... #1 GLOBAL San.................................. acres Joaquin Tulare DESTINATION for ................................. Source: USDA 2017 Census of Agriculture. >100 Million Pounds Merced California almonds. ........................................... 50–100 Million Pounds Fresno .................................... 2019/20 domestic 1–49 Million Pounds Kings ....................................... shipments marked Acreage (1 Dot = 100 Acres) Kern .................................................... the largest in history at 774 million pounds. INTERNATIONAL For the second year in a row, World Almond Iran 1% Chile 1% Tunisia 1% Turkey 1% Morocco 1% INDIA Production All Others 2% WAS THE TOP crop year 2019/20 Australia 7% EXPORT MARKET. 2019/20 export EU 8% shipments went to more than U.S. 78% 100 countries. The top ten export markets represent 70% of total export shipments. Source: International Nut and Dried Fruit Council. 4 5 ALMOND BOARD OF CALIFORNIA ANNUAL REPORT ALMOND BOARD PROGRAMS ALMOND BOARD OF CALIFORNIA Established in 2018, the Almond Orchard 2025 Programs + Budget Goals are a tangible example of the California The Almond Board of California’s programs are funded by an assessment placed on almond community’s commitment to continuous improvement. Built on a foundation of past successes, each pound of almonds grown in California. Working with board-appointed committees, the goals help focus our research and outreach subcommittees and workgroups, the Board of Directors approves the budget allocation priorities in key areas—water, pest management, for each program area. These areas are defined in the Program Budget Allocation zero waste and dust—and provide a roadmap leading chart below, and program updates can be found throughout the Almanac. toward the industry’s future. They also are a way to proactively address questions from regulatory Almond Quality + Food Safety Services officials, food manufacturers and the public about 3% Information Technical + Regulatory Technology 1% how almonds are grown. Affairs 1% Global Communications Administration 7% 14% NOW, JUST TWO YEARS INTO THE GOALS, THERE ARE MANY SIGNS OF PROGRESS BEING MADE UP AND DOWN CALIFORNIA’S CENTRAL VALLEY. Program HERE ARE A FEW EXAMPLES: Strategic Ag Budget Innovation Research 9% FURTHER REDUCING THE WATER USED TO GROW ALMONDS SIGN OF PROGRESS: IRRIGATION SYSTEM MAINTENANCE Allocation Scientific Affairs + crop year 2019/201 Nutrition Research In partnership with local Resource Conservation Districts, the extension arm of 4% California’s Department of Conservation, ABC is helping farmers get back to basics, ensuring their irrigation systems are effi ciently delivering every drop. Global Market Development 61% ACHIEVING ZERO WASTE IN OUR ORCHARDS SIGN OF PROGRESS: WHOLE ORCHARD RECYCLING At the end of their productive lives,