National Agricultural Statistics Service Forecasts Record Almond Crop
Predicted July 1, 2008 by HMR
The National Agricultural Statistics Service predicts an 8%-increase in almond production this year. The Modesto Bee reports:
Almond growers are in for another record-breaking season, according to a federal government projection released Monday in Modesto.
The orchards that paint the valley a pale shade of pink every spring will yield about 1.5 billion pounds of nut meat this year, according to a National Agricultural Statistics Service projection released Monday. That’s an 8 percent growth over last year’s record production.
“Bloom conditions up and down the valley were just about perfect,” said Almond Board of California Chief Executive Officer Richard Waycott. “Eight percent is a significant increase. Fortunately, our industry has proven it can market the increase.”
California produces 80 percent of the world’s almond supply. Almonds are the second-highest valued crop in Stanislaus County after milk, according to the most recent crop report, which is based on production in 2006. Growers in Stanislaus County made an estimated $833 million two years ago.
Source: The Modesto Bee
