Edible Nut Output Drops

WASHINGTON - Sep 12/19 - SNS -- This year's walnut and hazelnut harvests are down in the United States, according to the latest USDA crop production estimates.

Hazelnut production in Oregon is forecast at 49,000 tons, down 4% from last year's final utilized production of 51,000 tons. The September forecast is based on the hazelnut objective measurement survey.

Survey data indicated the percentage of good nuts analyzed in the laboratory was 89%. The average dry weight, per good nut, was 3.3 grams, up from 2.80 grams in 2018. The number of nuts picked per tree was 201 in 2019, down from 291 nuts the previous year.

California's walnut crop is forecast at 630,000 tons, down 7% from last year's 676,000 tons. The September forecast is based on the walnut objective measurement survey conducted August 1 through August 22, 2019.

Survey data indicated an average nut set of 983 per tree, down 16% from 2018's average of 1,176.% of sound kernels in-shell was 98.9% Statewide. In-shell weight, per nut, was 22.7 grams, while the average in-shell suture measurement was 32.3 millimeters. The in-shell cross- width measurement was 33.2 and the average length in-shell was 38.8 millimeters.

Utilized Production of Nuts by Crop - States and United States: 2018
and Forecasted September 1, 2019
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                              :          Utilized Production
        Crop and State        :---------------------------------------
                              :       2018        :       2019
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                              :                 tons
                              :
Hazelnuts in-shell basis      :
Oregon .......................:       51,000              49,000
                              :
United States ................:       51,000              49,000
                              :
Walnuts in-shell basis        :
California ...................:      676,000             630,000
                              :
United States ................:      676,000             630,000
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