Modesto, CA —The June 30, 2005 objective almond forecast for the 2005-2006 crop year is 880 million meat pounds, according to the California Agricultural Statistics Service (CASS). This forecast is based on 550,000 bearing acres.

Gary Nelson of CASS said the forecast is up 3.5 percent from the May 11, 2005 subjective forecast of 850 million meat pounds and down 11.8 percent from this year’s crop to date of 998 million pounds as of May 31, 2005. 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 5,461, down 23.8 percent from the 2004 almond crop. The Nonpareil average nut set of 4,650 represents a 30.3 percent decrease from last year’s set. The average kernel weight for all varieties sampled was 1.79 grams, up 23.4 percent from last year.

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

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The Almond Board of California administers a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture. Established in 1950, the Board’s charge is to promote the best quality almonds, California’s largest tree nut crop. For more information on the Almond Board of California or almonds, visit www.AlmondBoard.com.