Around 99 percent of the Pistachios that are grown within the U.S. originate in California and California also produces almost all of America’s almonds. The percentage of California in the global production of almonds is 80 . “While almonds rank in the top three California’s agricultural crops with production of 2.4 billion pounds for the state,, pistachios are the main crop that we make a lot than any other crop,” says Michelle Carter at Meridian Growers. Alongside pistachios and almonds, Meridian Growers also offers Arizona pecans for sale.

Exports of pistachios are strong.In 2023 U.S. growers harvested record-breaking 1.49 million pounds Pistachios. The majority of the pistachios are consumed by other countries that are not part of those of the U.S. Meridian Growers ships approximately 20 percent of its product domestically, and the vast part of the product is sold to international markets. In spite of the huge crop and concerns about shortages, exports began good. “In the past few years we’ve witnessed a massive expansion in exports of pistachios” Carter said. Carter. “Thanks for a large portion of the American Pistachio Growers association, their message on the health of ingredients and food is helping to boost sales. They show consumers that Pistachios can be so much more than a simple sweet snack.”

Asia as well as Europe are the major market for Meridian’s nuts. In Asia, China purchased more than 200 million lbs of Pistachios in the initial four months of the season, which is a difference from 7 million pounds around the identical time last year. Pistachios are a ingredient for Chinese New Year’s festivities which drives the consumption. In Europe, Spain, Italy and Germany are the biggest purchasers of U.S. almonds and pistachios.

In the last week, it was announced that beginning April 11 it was announced that the U.K. will suspend tariffs on almonds, for two years. “When tariffs are lowered or eliminated it is common to observe increased demand for almonds and hope to see the same thing happen in the U.K. as well,” added Carter. The tariffs were four percent for almonds in shell and two percent on the raw kernels, and were on the books from the time that when the U.K. left the European Union at the end of 2021.

Pricing

“The combination of the increased production as well as strong exports is resulting in a solid pistachio industry,” said Carter. “The almond market and the pecan one, however are experiencing more price fluctuation. “Compared to pistachios we’ve witnessed more rises and decreases in prices this year, but not much higher than normal,” she added.

For further information:

Michelle Carter

Meridian Growers

Tel: (+1) 559-458-7272

mcarter@meridiangrowers.com

www.meridiangrowers.com