Almond cultivation in California

California produces 80% of the world's almonds and 100% of the United States commercial supply.^[1] Although almonds are not native to California, a hot, dry Mediterranean climate and developed water infrastructure create favorable conditions for commercial cultivation of the crop.^[2] In 2020, there were 1.25 million acres (5,100 km²) devoted to almond farming in California, producing 2.8 billion pounds (1.3 Mt).^[3]

Almonds are the state's most valuable export crop.^[1] Farmers exported $4.9 billion worth to foreign countries in 2019, about 22% of the state's total agricultural exports, with the European Union, China and India as leading destinations.^[1]

California almond farms import the majority of US commercial bee colonies to the state of California during the almond pollination season. Almond production in California is the source of several major environmental problems, including high demand for water and abundant waste of almond shells. As of 2021, due to a historic long-term drought in California, production was forecast to decline, and many almond orchards were being abandoned.^[4] Shipping disruptions, reductions in consumer spending, and trade disputes during 2020-21 caused by the COVID-19 pandemic affected logistics and pricing of almonds.^[3]

^ ^a ^b ^c "California Agriculture Exports 2019-2020" (PDF). California Department of Food and Agriculture. 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
^ Cite error: The named reference bloomberg was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ ^a ^b EM Bruno; B Goodrich; RJ Sexton (November 10, 2021). "The Outlook for California's Almond Market". Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California, Davis. Archived from the original on April 30, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
^ "California drought takes toll on world's top almond producer". ABC10 News. Associated Press. August 17, 2021. Archived from the original on August 17, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2022.

[cdfa-1] "California Agriculture Exports 2019-2020" (PDF). California Department of Food and Agriculture. 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2022.

[bloomberg-2] Cite error: The named reference bloomberg was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[bruno-3] EM Bruno; B Goodrich; RJ Sexton (November 10, 2021). "The Outlook for California's Almond Market". Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California, Davis. Archived from the original on April 30, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.

[abc-4] "California drought takes toll on world's top almond producer". ABC10 News. Associated Press. August 17, 2021. Archived from the original on August 17, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2022.

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