Almond production has tripled over the last 15 years, and the industry stands on the verge of another cycle of production growth as additional plantings over the last four years come into production. At the same time, all basic inputs - not just water, but land, energy, crop protection, fertilizer, pollination, etc. - are under increasing pressure in the regulatory arena.

Regulatory challenges

A quick look at the regulatory landscape illustrates the challenges facing the industry. The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) is fundamentally changing the groundwater supply in California, and surface water availability will be limited, even in non-drought years, as agencies divert water releases to support endangered fish species.

A number of regulations are on the way as the state works to move California away from the use of fossil fuels, and urban development continues to place a strain on land availability for agriculture.

On the marketing side, as the consumer demographic shifts from baby boomers to millennials, there is a corresponding fundamental shift in the values driving consumers’ shopping habits. The younger generation of consumers is focused not only on food that is good for them, but also good for the community and the planet.

The Almond Board of California is working on behalf of almond growers and handlers to ensure the industry is ready for this changing world. Almonds are among California’s highest-value agricultural crops, and soon will be its largest acreage crop. With this position comes opportunity, responsibility, and leadership.