The U.S. pistachio crop looks to be coming in slightly lighter than the industry forecast at the start of the growing season. "It's fairly close to what American Pistachio Growers shared at our Insights Day on July 26, 2024. While final totals are still being processed, it looks like it will be between 1 billion and 1.1 billion pounds," says Zachary Fraser, president and CEO of the American Pistachio Growers.
This is a smaller crop than the 2023-2024 crop which was nearly 1.5 billion lbs. "Pistachios are an alternate-bearing crop, and 2024 is an 'off year'," says Fraser. "So while the decrease is a little more than anticipated, it still is showing to be a decent crop for an 'off year'."
The pistachio harvest this season also started slightly later than expected. The summer's high temperatures combined with a later bloom that extended longer than usual pushed back that harvest start date. "Most orchards are done at this point. While some are still shaking right now, harvest has rounded third and is heading to home plate," says Fraser.
Growing the demand for pistachios
Meanwhile, demand is strong for pistachios but it also continues to grow. Last year, which also saw a year of strong demand, the industry sold over 1.5 billion pounds. Add to that the fact that the industry continues to find new ways to increase that demand. "Kernels and flavored kernels - just the nut, outside the shell - continue to drive an increase in demand and consumption. Continued product innovation - pistachio butter, pistachio as an ingredient in packaged goods - is a future for increasing consumption," says Fraser.
At the same time, getting pistachios from U.S. processors to the global market remains a challenge for the California pistachio industry, along with other ag growing concerns ranging from regulatory concerns to water management to growing input costs. "I don't know that those will ever change, and our industry will continue to do what it has done for more than 40 years, which is be innovative and find ways to keep bringing the world's best nut to the world," adds Fraser.
For more information:
Zachary Fraser
American Pistachio Growers
[email protected]
https://americanpistachios.org/