No exceptional harvest this year predict almond producers

In California, the colder and wetter than usual winter has been beneficial in combating the drought, but the prolonged wet and windy conditions are far from beneficial for almond production.

 

In recent weeks, weather conditions have prevented bees from pollinating almond blossoms. Wind and rain have kept flightless bees in hives when temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C), California growers say the ideal temperature for bees is around 70°C F (21.1°C).

 

Pollination by bees must be carried out in a very limited period of time, but precious days have already been lost.

 

"There's no way we're going to get a bumper crop this year," said Turlock almond grower Christine Gemperle, a member of the Almond Board of California.