2023 CALIFORNIA ALMOND FORECAST UP 1 PERCENT
California’s 2023 almond production is forecast at 2.60 billion meat pounds, up 4% from May’s subjective forecast and 1% higher than last year’s crop of 2.57 billion meat pounds. The forecast is based on 1.38 million bearing acres. Production for the Nonpareil variety is forecast at 1.10 billion meat pounds, 10% above last year’s deliveries of 1.00 billion meat pounds. The Nonpareil variety represents 42% of California’s total almond production.
The almond bloom began in the middle of February and peaked at the end of the month. Record level rainfall and unprecedented stormy conditions hindered bee pollination activity in orchards across the state. Cooler than normal temperatures continued through early summer and delayed the maturity of the crop. Growers have been irrigating, applying pest treatments, and preparing for harvest, which is expected to begin in the next month.
The average nut set per tree is 3,953, a decrease of 3% compared to 2022. The Nonpareil average nut set of 4,004 is 1% higher than last year. The average kernel weight for all varieties sampled was 1.67 grams, up 14% from the 2022 average weight. The Nonpareil average kernel weight was 1.69 grams, up 9% from the 2022 average weight. A total of 98.4% of all nuts sized were sound.
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