Posts Tagged “California pistachio shipments”

Big Volume is Seen for California Pistachio Shipments

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Despite what is considered an off year for production, the California Pistachio crop could be the second largest on record because of more acreage.

Coming in at about 1 billion pounds, the California crop is weighing in just under last year’s record 1.05 billion pounds. Industry leaders also predict strong domestic and international markets this year.

Pistachios rank No. 4 among California’s top agricultural commodities, behind milk, almonds and grapes. In 2020, the crop’s production value was $2.87 billion.

Industry group the American Pistachio Growers report the nuts are much smaller than normal, but there are more of them.

In July, predictions had the crop coming in between 850 million to 940 million pounds due to drought and heat, but tonnage reports from packers and processors September 30 showed higher volumes than predicted.

Growers in the San Joaquin Valley report large yields, thanks to the fertile soils, hot, arid climate and moderate winters.

Harvest started in late August and the second shakes on trees wrapped up in the third week of October.

One billion pounds is a large volume for this “off” year in the pistachio industry. Pistachios are alternate-bearing, meaning the trees produce a heavy crop yield one year and a lighter yield the next. This year is technically an “off” year for the crop, so growers say they expect a crop well above a billion pounds in 2022, an “on” year.

According to the U.S. Administrative Committee for Pistachios, Iran follows the U.S. as the world’s second largest pistachio producer, producing a total crop of more than 418 million pounds in 2020. This year, however, the Iran Pistachio Association reported that Iranian growers lost about 50% of their crop due to severe frost and heat damages.

According to a report from the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council, Turkey, the third-largest pistachio producing nation, is also expected to have a “very low” crop this year compared to average.

These global production losses leave gaps for U.S. producers to fill. About 65% to 70% of U.S. pistachios are exported, so this year’s global market is in America’s favor.

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