Almond forecast 1.5 billion pounds

The June 30 objective almond forecast for the 2008-2009 crop year is 1.50 billion meat pounds from 660,000 bearing acres, up 3 percent from the May subjective forecast, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service California Field Office (NASS/CFO).

This new forecast is also up 9 percent from this year's crop to date of 1.380 billion pounds as of May 31.

"The objective estimate is pretty much in line with industry opinion, and our global markets are well-positioned to absorb the additional volume," said Richard Waycott, president and CEO of the Almond Board of California (ABC), which funds the forecast. The objective forecast was released June 30 at the ABC offices in Modesto.

According to Doug Flohr, statistician for NASS, the average nut set per tree is 7,452, up 1 percent from the 2007 almond crop. The Nonpareil average set of 7,079 is essentially the same as last year's. The average kernel weight for all varieties sampled was 1.43 grams, down 3 percent from last year.

Here in Tehama County there are 8,936 acres planted in almonds, according to last year's agriculture report. That acreage produced 7,685 tons at a value of $3,420 per ton and a total value of $26,282,700.

In Tehama County almonds come second in acreage and total value right behind walnuts. Third is prunes and then olives. 

Julie R. Johnson may be contacted at 824-5474 or jjohnson@tcnpress.com.