The California Subjective Crop Estimation for 2018 is estimated at 2.3 Billion Pounds

The subjective almond estimation, which is the opinion based on grower interviews by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, suggests almond production could be 2.3 billion pounds this year, slightly higher than last year’s record-setting 2.27 billion pounds of production. Forecasted yield is 2,150 pounds per acre, down 5.3 percent from the 2017 yield of 2,270 pounds per acre.

The 2018 California almond bloom began a few days earlier than normal. The bloom period was extended, due to cold temperatures, and lasted a few weeks. Frosts during bloom hit orchards hard, especially on the east side of the valley. Younger trees were impacted more severely than older trees. Weather during the spring was variable, leading many growers to be unsure about their 2018 crop. As temperatures warmed up in May, nuts were sizing well.

Therefore, this year in spite of all concerns about freezing weather during almond Bloom, we will have a much bigger crop than expected.

This can lead to a slight highward trend in Spanish almond prices due to the spected harvest was higher.

Source: United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service