From the Modesto Bee:

California's almond harvest will swell to a record 1.75 billion pounds this year, despite the rough weather early on, the federal government estimated Thursday.

That means hundreds of millions of dollars flowing into a Northern San Joaquin Valley economy still reeling from the housing crash and job losses.

The estimate, announced in Modesto by the National Agricultural Statistics Service, tops the record of 1.65 billion pounds last year.

Industry people used to worry about supply outpacing demand, but that's no longer the case thanks to global marketing and research on dietary benefits.

"There's a need for at least that many pounds of almonds," said Dave Phippen, a grower and processor near Ripon.

For more, see: Valley almond growers to see record harvest