June 4, 2013 From the Desk of  Mark Jansen:           One year ago, NASS released its May subjective estimate of 2-billion pounds for the 2012 crop and pricing softened. At that time I described why a 2-billion pound crop was insufficient to keep up with...

The almond industry has enjoyed strong volume growth for the past two years with steady increases in price — an enviable position for any industry.  Prices over the two year period increased by $.40-50 or 12.5% annually with demand growing by 427 million pounds or 13.5% annually.  Even with...

November 15, 2012 Yesterday I had an opportunity to speak to more than 1,000 members of the Blue Diamond Almond Growers Cooperative at our 102nd annual  meeting in Modesto. This event is something I look forward to each year. Many of the meeting highlights were captured by the  Sacramento...

As market leader in the almond industry, I take pride in Blue Diamond’s performance in the 2011 crop year. Blue Diamond has continued to be the key driver of almond market demand by: pioneering efforts to develop new markets like China and India; advocating to lower all tariffs on...

“Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they’ve got a second.” – William James The one hobby I have undertaken since moving to California is trail running. Practically, it combines two passions of mine — being outside and exercising — during a life...

Too often people fail to dream big enough. Even worse, instead of focusing on where they want to go, they spend their time thinking about that which they fear. I believe fear is opportunity in disguise. In the case of the almond industry, a few continue to follow traditional...