Modesto, CA – The June 26, 2003 objective almond forecast for the 2003-2004 crop year is one billion meal pounds, according to the California Agricultural Statistics Service (CASS). This forecast is based on 530,000 bearing acres.

Gary Nelson of CASS said the forecast is up 9 percent from the May 9, 2003 subjective forecast of 920 million meal pounds and down 8 percent from this year's crop to date. The official announcement was made today at the Modesto office of the Almond Board of California, which funds the forecast.

The average nut set per tree is 7,002, down 14 percent from the 2002 almond crop. The Nonpareil average nut set of 6,110 represents a 24 percent decrease from last year's set. The average kemel weight for all varieties sampled was 1.67 grams, up 18 percent from last year.

For additional information, contact the Almond Board of California at (209) 549-8262 or visit www.AlmondBoard.com