California's 2020 almond production is forecast at 3.00 billion meat pounds, unchanged from May's subjective forecast and 18 percent higher than last year's crop. The forecast is based on 1.26 million bearing acres.
Production for the Nonpareil variety is forecast at 1.30 billion meat pounds, up 24 percent over last year’s deliveries. The Nonpareil variety represents 43 percent of California’s total almond production.
February was very dry throughout most of California, which provided excellent bloom conditions and plenty of opportunity for pollination. There was little concern for frost damage this year. Isolated storms in late March and early April brought inches of rain and even hail to some areas. There were reports of wind gusts toppling trees that were heavy with nuts as well as limbs breaking from the weight. High temperatures in late May and through June helped develop the crop through its final stages. Irrigation was needed and water availability was not an issue.
Coupled with a large increase in bearing acreage, the 2020 crop is estimated to be the largest on record.
The average nut set per tree is 5,645, which is an increase of 21 percent compared to 2019. The Nonpareil average nut set of 5,621 is 27 percent higher than last year’s set of 4,429. The average kernel weight for all varieties sampled was 1.51 grams, down 2 percent from the 2019 average weight.