2021 NASS Objective Estimate: July 13, 2021
Yesterday, the National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS) announced the Objective Estimate for the 2021 California almond crop at 2.8 billion meat pounds. The Subjective Estimate in May was 3.2 billion meat pounds. The objective estimate is based on 1.33 million bearing acres. The swing from the subjective and objective...
It’s All About Consumer Choice
Six months ago, a California consumer filed a class action lawsuit against Blue Diamond Growers alleging almondmilk is falsely advertised as nutritionally equivalent to dairy milk. I am pleased to share that this case has been emphatically dismissed by the judge. An article published in Food Navigator USA covers...
A Time for Sustainable Water Solutions
Who could have predicted California’s historic drought would turn to record breaking rainfall and snowpack? At the height of the drought our industry fell under intense scrutiny and it was during this time I last focused on water issues. Thankfully, the efficiency and stewardship of our Blue Diamond growers...
Innovative Projects Aim to Aid Almond Growers and Environment
I wanted to share two partnerships initiated by the Almond Board of California (ABC) that I think will benefit Blue Diamond’s growers and the rest of the almond industry. These projects offer solutions to our climate and water challenges. As ABC committee members, Blue Diamond is fully engaged in...
NASS Objective Crop Estimate at 1.8 Billion Pounds
The NASS Objective Estimate for the California almond crop was issued yesterday, projecting a 2015 crop of 1.8 billion pounds. Based on 890,000 bearing acres (up 2.3 percent from last year), a nut count of 5,874 nuts per tree (down 12 percent) and kernel weight of 1.43 grams per...
NASS Subjective Estimate Reports 1.85 Billion Pound Crop
Last week, growers in each of Blue Diamond’s 9 districts shared with me their outlook on their crop. After these visits, I was predicting a crop in the trees of 1.9 billion pounds. Water quality and availability could significantly lower this number. Often I heard their prediction followed by...
November California Almond Shipments 5th Largest in History
Did you know that the 184 million lbs. of California almonds shipped in November is the fifth largest monthly shipment total in the history of the California industry? It’s simply amazing how fast the California almond industry has grown. Year-To-Date, as expected, California almond shipments are flat to last...
The Perfect Marriage: Chocolate and Almonds
In the world of confections, the marriage of chocolate and almonds is a near perfect union. A recent global survey reports that almonds are listed by consumers as a top ingredient in both milk and dark chocolate. Almonds are also voted the nut that best fits with chocolate and...
Snacking Is On The Rise
Consumers are snacking more and their love for almonds remains strong. Technomic, a leading fact-based consulting and research firm serving the food industry, recently noted, “consumers are snacking at least twice a day.” Prompting the increase in consumer snacking trends is a heightened awareness of the caloric content in...