Moderate Gain In Walnut Harvest

WASHINGTON - Sep 12/23 - SNS -- The 2023 California walnut production is forecast at 790,000 tons, up 5% from last year's production of 752,000 tons, according to the latest USDA production estimates for 2023.

The forecast is based on the Walnut Objective Measurement survey, which indicated an average nut set of 1,004 per tree, up 2% from the previous year's average of 981 nuts per tree.

The percentage of sound kernels in-shell was 99.2% Statewide. In-shell weight per nut averaged 21.5. In-shell suture width measurement averaged 32.7 millimeters, while cross-width measurement averaged 33.3 millimeters, and in-shell length averaged 39.1 millimeters.

Utilized Production of Nuts by Crop - States and United States: 2022
and Forecasted September 1, 2023
[Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]
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                              :          Utilized Production
        Crop and State        :---------------------------------------
                              :       2022        :       2023
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                              :                 tons
                              :
Hazelnuts in-shell basis 1/   :
Oregon .......................:       77,500
                              :
United States ................:       77,500
                              :
Walnuts in-shell basis        :
California ...................:      752,000             790,000
                              :
United States ................:      752,000             790,000
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1/ Hazelnuts production will not be forecasted this season. Estimates
   will be published in "Noncitrus Fruits and Nuts 2023 Summary."