CALIFORNIA BUSINESS MINUTE
Walnut Harvest 09
09-14-09
Hi, I am Tim Johnson and welcome to the California Business Minute.
The 2009 walnut harvest, currently underway in the Central Valley, is estimated
to be 415,000 t tons according to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service,
California Field Office estimates, a number however, that will not be confirmed
until February 2010.
Overall, the California walnut crop has increased by 74% since 2000, though the
current estimate is 4.4% lighter than last year's record crop of 434,301 short tons.
According to California Walnut Commission Chairman Sam Keiper, "Walnut growers
have experienced good growing conditions this year despite 100 degree
temperatures lasting more than one week during summer months. This year's
crop is not last year's but it's a high-quality crop and we're very happy with it."
The California walnut industry is comprised of over 4,000 growers and 61 processors,
most of which are family businesses working in the fertile Central Valley. Walnut
trees can produce quality nuts for 75 to 100 years and orchards are often passed
down from generation to generation.
I am Tim Johnson and this has been the California Business Minute.
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