Almond conference focuses on growing global demand

Almond Kernel

Published Dec 16, 2021

Tridge summary

With water shortages, crippling port disruptions, soaring costs, and price declines slashing profitability, almond growers face uphill battles that could test their viability in the coming year. But they should not lose sight of their accomplishments, said Richard Waycott, president, and CEO of the Almond Board of California, during the 2021 Almond Conference.

Original content

With water shortages, crippling port disruptions, soaring costs and price declines slashing profitability, almond growers face uphill battles that could test their viability in the coming year. But they should not lose sight of their accomplishments, said Richard Waycott, president and CEO of the Almond Board of California, during the 2021 Almond Conference. Amid what Waycott described as "the most tumultuous" year in recent history, almond growers in 2020 managed to set new records for production and shipments. He said he remains optimistic for the future, emphasizing growing global demand for the nut. But Waycott also acknowledged tough times ahead, "maybe tougher than ever," with implementation next year of the 2014 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and pumping restrictions for growers. Almonds now represent the state's leading crop by acreage. Growers produced more than 3 billion pounds of the nut valued at more than $5.6 billion last year. The 2020 crop represented a ...

Source: Agalert