This is what harvest of a 2020 record almond crop looks like
The almond harvest in Northern California is under way, with an initial forecast showing the 2020 California almond production will be 3 billion pounds, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
That’s 17.6 percent higher than last year’s production of 2.55 billion pounds, the USDA reported, based on a telephone survey of 500 almond growers conducted from April 20 to May 6.
That would be the largest crop on record, the agency reported.
The forecasted yield is 2,380 pounds per acre, 10.2 percent higher than the 2019 yield of 2,160 pounds per acre.
“The 2020 almond crop experienced a dry February throughout most of California, providing excellent bloom conditions and plenty of opportunity for pollination,” the USDA report said. “Mild temperature eased concerns of frost damage. There were some isolated storms in late March and early April that brought inches of rain and even hail to some areas, but there were no reports of significant impact to the developing crop.”
Also, Modern Farmer recently reported, demand for almonds has grown as the popularity of almond milk surges.
This story was originally published August 5, 2020 at 10:03 AM.
