Tag: Blue Diamond President & CEO

Almond Market Update: Growing Demand for 2016 Crop

The position report from Blue Diamond’s Global Ingredients Division is available. Each month I will share the industry report covering the state of the crop supply, shipments, and domestic and export market status for the month and over the prior year....

Resolutions For A Successful 2016

“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.” – Abraham Lincoln It’s that time of year again when people all over the world set New Year’s resolutions for the year to come. Just like everyone else, the management team and board...

Final Position Report Closely Aligns with Market Expectations

The August position report from Blue Diamond’s Global Ingredients Division is available. Each month I will share this industry report covering the state of the crop supply, shipments, and domestic and export market status for the month and over the prior year....

Advocating for Free Trade

“As the leader of the West and as a country that has become great and rich because of economic freedom, America must be an unrelenting advocate of free trade.” –Ronald Reagan  With the worst drought in 1,200 years, uncertainty in water policy, declining almond crop yields, almond supply shortages and rising prices,...

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...

“Facts are Stubborn Things” – John Adams

The headlines have been unavoidable. Almonds have been painted as our state’s “thirstiest” crop but what these stories lack is context. Blue Diamond’s management team has been collaborating with industry experts to communicate the facts about agricultural water use to the media and our urban neighbors. According to a recent editorial...

Almond Industry Update: April Sees Record Almond Shipments

The April shipment report from Blue Diamond’s Global Ingredients Division is available. Each month I will share this industry report covering the state of crop supply, shipments, and domestic and export market status for the month and over prior year....

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...

Thoughts on this Historic Drought: Continuing the conversation

Yesterday the Los Angeles Times reported a strong story sharing the perspective of almond growers. Here is an excerpt from the story that I wanted to share: Almonds, the demons of drought? Frustrated growers tell another story                Farmers are by necessity a...

Almond Industry Update – March 17, 2015

The February Almond Board Position report shows 2014 crop receipts winding down as expected. February receipts of 16 million pounds pushed the crop just over 1.85 million pounds. Remaining receipts will slow to a trickle, leaving the 2014 crop total materially unchanged. The labor dispute at West Coast ports...