Themed "Rooted Together," registration is now open for the 52nd annual Almond Conference, where growers and industry professionals will gather for three days of workshops and exhibits Dec. 10-12 in Sacramento.
The yearly event at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center focuses on innovative research, market development and best practices and includes updates on production and consumer research, regulations and other topics.
Highlighting the conference will be a "State of the Industry" presentation on Dec. 10 by industry leaders, including Clarice Turner, who is completing her first year as the Almond Board of California's chief executive officer. She was hired in 2023 to replace long-time CEO Richard Waycott. Workshops at the conference center on trade and marketing, policy, water, sustainable cultivation practices, and other topics.
The gathering's "Rooted Together" theme follows remarks Turner made at the 2023 conference, where she discussed what she called a great strength of the almond industry – the supportive nature of everyone in it.
"I'm so impressed with how you all work together, help each other and care so deeply," Turner told attendees last year. "As the industry struggles to deal with challenges, many we don't control, it's critical to pull together and focus on what we can control or influence to find our way forward."
More optimism
This year's industry update is likely to be more optimistic than in recent years, as a "perfect storm" that led to unprofitable returns for growers began to subside this year. Rabobank's RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness division this summer suggested a more upbeat outlook for almond growers who have been losing money since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 amid a glut of almonds in the market.
Grower prices have firmed as demand for U.S. almonds appears to be recovering, with carryover supplies decreasing from as many as 800 million pounds of unsold nuts in recent years to as little as 500 million pounds this year.
In June, the price of Butte/Padre nuts was up about 40 cents per pound from where it had been, according to a central California processor. Inshell and standard Nonpareil almonds, the large snack-size almonds, had rebounded to about $2 a pound.
The USDA expects 2.8 billion meat pounds of almonds to come out of California orchards this season, a 13% increase from last year's crop, but down 7% from the subjective forecast in May.
The conference will also include a trade show that last year featured 230 exhibitors who blanketed the bottom level of the convention center with the latest products and innovations available to growers. The event will also feature an opening reception and a keynote luncheon.
Exhibit space and sponsorships are available, and hotel blocks will open at noon Pacific time on Sept. 12. Prices for booths will remain unchanged from the past two years, ranging from $3,000 to $12,500 depending on size.
For more information: www.almonds.com