USDA awards contracts for 12M pounds of California walnut kernels
USDA awarded contracts for 12 million pounds of California walnut kernels valued at nearly $30 million through its Section 32 authority.
USDA finalized contracts for 12 million pounds of California walnut kernels valued at nearly $30 million, the California Walnut Commission (CWC) announced Sept. 28.
USDA awarded the contracts Sept. 25 through its Section 32 authority after announcing its intent to purchase the walnuts in August. The volume represents the equivalent of 28 million pounds of in-shell walnuts.
The latest contracts bring USDA’s 2026 Section 32 purchases of California walnuts to $45 million and nearly 17 million pounds of kernels, according to CWC. The walnuts are being distributed through food banks.
The purchase comes as California walnut growers harvest the 2026 crop while the industry finishes shipments from the 2025 crop, which CWC described as the second largest on record.
“Lowering the carry-in inventory from 2025 is a critical step to putting our family farms and local rural communities on firmer footing,” Robert Verloop, CEO of CWC, said.
CWC represents more than 3,700 California walnut growers and approximately 70 handlers. More than 99% of walnuts grown in the U.S. come from California, according to the commission.