Two Billion Pound Almond Crop In The Forecast
May 2, 2013 
The initial subjective forecast for the 2013 California almond crop is 2.00 billion pounds, USDA announced today.
The forecasted amount is 6% above last year’s production of 1.89 billion pounds. Yield, forecasted at 2,470 pounds per acre, is up 3% from the 2012 yield of 2,390 pounds per acre. As previously announced, forecasted bearing acreage for 2013 is 810,000.
The subjective production forecast is based on a telephone survey conducted April 17 – April 30 from a sample of almond growers. Of the 464 growers sampled, 305 reported. Acreage from these reports accounted for 31% of the total bearing acreage.
After a wet and cold winter, the 2013 almond crop began bloom two weeks later than normal. Bloom was strong and fast, which shortened overlap and pollination time. Despite this, set was looking very good.
High winds in early April knocked nuts and branches off trees, as well as knocking down some trees. Many of the nuts blown off trees were expected to have dropped off in May or June anyway. Nonpareil drop has been reportedly heavy.
Water will be a concern for growers this year, as allotments have been reduced.
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