Declining Almond Acreage, New ABC Leadership
California's almond industry is facing a dynamic mix of challenges and opportunities. The Almond Board of California (ABC) reports a third consecutive year of declining total acreage, now at 1.52 million—down 40,000 acres from the previous year. While bearing acres saw modest growth, non-bearing acreage dropped significantly by 47,000 acres. Nearly 67,000 acres were removed in 2024, adding to a three-year trend of sizeable orchard removals.Amid these changes, demand remains robust. For the first time ever, California almond shipments exceeded 200 million pounds for 11 consecutive months, reflecting strong global interest. ABC President and CEO Clarice Turner reaffirmed the industry’s critical role, emphasizing almonds' enduring importance to California agriculture and global markets.
As of January 1, Alicia Rockwell has assumed the role of ABC Board Chair, succeeding Alexi Rodriguez, now CEO of the Almond Alliance. Rockwell is Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer for Blue Diamond Growers.