About 600 Western pistachio growers, processors, and other industry members are gathered this week in San Diego, Calif., for the 2013 American Pistachio Growers Conference.

Growers in California, Arizona, and New Mexico set an all time pistachio production record last year with about 555 million pounds of inshell nuts amid good prices. About 20,000 new acres could be planted in pistachios this year. California produces about 90 percent of the U.S. pistachio crop.