The article provides an update on the upcoming walnut harvest in California, which is expected to begin in late August and last through the end of September. The current subjective estimate for the crop size is 789,754 short tons, marking an 8.2% increase from the previous year, according to Crain, one of the state's largest walnut growers and processors. Despite some sunburn damage due to high temperatures, the shells have formed, and the ripening period is expected to be similar to last year. The USDA has announced the purchase of over 11 million pounds of walnut kernels, likely from the 2021 harvest, and there has been a notable increase in shipments to key export markets such as Israel, Japan, and Germany. However, the article also highlights the challenges in walnut shipping logistics as production levels rise.