That was before Kern County missed out some of the rainfall other California pistachio areas received, and before some warm fronts that came through the area over a two-week period earlier in January, producing very little in the way of rain and chilling.

“In general, with respect to winter chilling in Kern County, we are much better off than last year, but some areas are still borderline,” Kallsen says. “Also, I am concerned about the lack of flower buds on trees just coming into bearing (6th, 7th and 8th leaf trees) in some of the warmer areas of the county.”

This lack of flower buds on younger trees may be a carry-over problem from the run of low-chill years, he says.

“We have seen this before in the foothill citrus-belt where young trees seem to remain in a vegetative state.”

Still, Matoian expects American pistachio growers will enjoy a stronger competitive position internationally.

“Hardly any one expects Iran to have a third straight big crop this year,” he notes.

And, when it comes to competing against any lower-priced pistachios in world markets, American growers hold an ace or two up their sleeves.

“Pistachios grown here are consistently safer and higher in quality,” Matoian says. “That’s particularly important to European consumers, who represent a significant export market for our product.”

Meanwhile, Matoian adds that continued growth in membership numbers and volume of pistachio production they represent, strengthens the ability of APG to build on its success in stimulating demand by promoting the nutritional and health benefits of pistachios to consumers around the world.