U.S. pistachio farmers crack record crop volume

America’s healthy nut is on track to have a healthy harvest as this year’s U.S. pistachio crop is already 15% larger than first expected. What was estimated to be a 1.3 billion pound crop could surpass 1.5 billion pounds as receipts by early November totaled more than 1.48 billion pounds on reports of excellent quality and size. The largest crop on record was harvested two years ago. U.S. growers that year produced 1.16 billion pounds of pistachios. California produces about 99% of the U.S. crop. The rest are produced in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. This year’s crop success can be attributed to several factors where the stars seemed to align for U.S. growers. Ample winter chill hours, good spring weather, a lack of damaging summer heat, and an on-year for the alternate bearing crop combined to give U.S. pistachio farmers something to crack a smile about. Richard Matoian, president of the American Pistachio Growers Association, a voluntary trade group based in Fresno, ...