STAT Communications Ag Market News

Record Almond Crop in Sight

WASHINGTON - May 9/08 - SNS -- The 2008 California almond production is forecast at 1.46 billion pounds, shelled basis, up 6% from the revised 2007 crop, according to the USDA's latest crop production estimates.

Bearing acreage, at 660,000 acres, increased 7% from the previous year's acreage. The average yield is forecast at 2,210 pounds per acre, down 30 pounds per acre from last year's record high revised yield and the second highest on record since 1909.

Almond set looks very strong. Bloom started earlier than normal this year and lasted only 10 days, compared to the average of three weeks. However, there was overlapping bloom among varieties and an adequate supply of bees, resulting in excellent pollination.

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