USDA reports 2024 California almond crop estimate at 2.80 billion pounds
The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS) released its 2024 California Almond Objective Measurement Report.
Despite a solid bloom, growers faced economic challenges throughout the year. Almond shipments hit a record, with ten consecutive months of at least 212 million pounds shipped, reducing the carryout to levels not seen in years.
Photo courtesy of the Almond Board of California.
“The Objective Measurement is in line with what the industry expected and a drop from the Subjective Estimate,” said Clarice Turner, president and CEO of the Almond Board of California in a press release. “It reflects both a good bloom and hard work by California almond growers during trying times.”
Turner expects the almond supply to remain similar to the past 2023-24 crop year.
“The actual supply of California almonds available for the market is the combination of crop size and carryout from the previous year,” she said. “We expect only minor changes, if any, to the supply for market this next crop year because the forecasted increase in crop size will mostly be offset by the smaller carryout.”
USDA-NASS reported favorable weather during the bloom period, with significantly higher bee hours than last year. Despite increased pest and disease pressure in April, dry conditions in May aided crop development. However, heat waves in June and July required increased irrigation.