The initial subjective forecast for the 2013 California almond production is 2 billion pounds. If realized it will be the third billion pound crop in a row.

The 2013 forecast  is 6 percent above last year's production.  Yield, forecasted at 2,470 pounds per acre is up 3 percent from the 2012 yield of 2,390 pounds per acre.  Forecasted bearing acreage for 2013 is 810,000.  The subjective production forecast is based on a telephone survey conducted April 17 - April 30 from a sample of almond growers.  Of the 464 growers sampled, 305 reported.  Acreage from these reports accounted for 31 percent of the total bearing acreage.

After a wet and cold winter, the 2013 almond crop began bloom two weeks later than normal.  Bloom was strong and fast, which shortened overlap and pollination time.  Despite this, set was looking very good, according to the NASS survey.  High winds in early April knocked nuts and branches off trees, as well as knocking down some trees.  Many of the nuts blown off trees were expected to have dropped off in May or June anyway. Nonpareil drop has been reportedly heavy.  Water will be a concern for growers this year, as allotments have been reduced.

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