MODESTO, Calif. – (April 25) – Today, the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reported that California’s almond acreage continued to increase in 2017. Bearing acres, that is orchards old enough to produce a crop, were reported at 1 million acres, which is up 6 percent from 2016. Total almond acres for 2017 were estimated at 1.33 million acres, up 7 percent from the previous year.[1]
The expansion of almond acreage means more almonds to feed a growing consumer demand — but also represents an opportunity for farmers to add value with coproduct innovations.
More than two pounds of hulls and shells are produced for each pound of almond kernels from California orchards.[2] These coproducts have historically been used as livestock bedding and dairy feed, but Almond Board-funded research is underway to identify ways to increase utilization and redefine orchard coproducts as valuable materials for other industries. The future of almond coproducts includes pilot scale testing to improve soil quality, strengthen recycled plastics and feed insect larvae for poultry feed.[3]
“The Almond Board remains dedicated to the future of the almond industry, driving innovations like coproduct utilization to ensure the continued success of farmers,” said Richard Waycott, president and CEO, Almond Board of California. “With an increasing almond acreage, the industry has more opportunity to realize the full potential of everything an almond orchard provides.”
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About Almond Board of California
Almonds from California are a natural, wholesome and quality food. The Almond Board of California promotes almonds through its research-based approach to all aspects of marketing, farming and production on behalf of the more than 6,000 almond farmers and processors in California, many of whom are multi-generational family operations. Established in 1950 and based in Modesto, California, the Almond Board of California is a non-profit organization that administers a farmer-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture. For more information on the Almond Board of California or almonds, visit Almonds.com or check out California Almonds on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and theCalifornia Almonds blog.