California walnut farmers expect record crop

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and state Department of Food and Agriculture forecast California will produce a record 375,000 tons of walnuts. It would be a 15 percent increase from the 325,000-tons crop produced last year.

The higher crop is a result of a boost in acreage. Since 1997 the quantity of land in California with almond orchards mature enough to bear fruit rose from 193,000 to 218,000 acres. Higher nut prices have motivated growers to plant more orchards. Last year California farmers received an average of US$2,162 per ton for walnuts, an increase from US$1,609 in 2006 and US$1,465 from 2005.