Another Record Almond Crop Expected
July 10, 2012 
California’s 2012 almond production is forecast at a record 2.10 billion meat pounds, up 5% from May’s subjective forecast, and 3% above last year’s crop. The forecast is based on 780,000 bearing acres.
Production for the Nonpareil variety, the most popular on highest paying, is forecast at 730 million meat pounds, 7% below last year’s deliveries. The Nonpareil variety represents 35% of California’s total almond production.
The 2012 California almond crop began with a warm and dry February that created favorable bloom conditions for almond trees. The 2012 bloom period was shorter than last year, but the excellent weather made up for the shorter overlap. Chilling hours were plentiful.
An early March frost resulted in some spotty damage in the South San Joaquin Valley, and an early April hailstorm affected orchards in Merced County. Weather in the Sacramento Valley has been near ideal. A heavier than normal drop was reported in the San Joaquin Valley. Across the state, lower limb death was higher than 2011, though disease and insect pressure have been minimal.
The average nut set per tree is 7,048, down 4% from 2011. The Nonpareil average nut set of 6,571 is down 12% from last year’s set. California varieties’ average nut set, at 6,845, is up 5% from 2011. The average kernel weight for all varieties sampled was 1.48 grams, 1% below last year. The Nonpareil average kernel weight was 1.64, up 3% from last year. A total of 99.1% of all nuts sized were sound.
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