Published 9:43 am Monday, April 7, 2025
The 2024-2025 U.S. pistachio crop is forecast at 1.1 billion pounds in-shell, its third largest harvest — and that’s for an “off” year with alternate bearing production.
With more acreage than ever before, the September harvest is expected to set a new record, according to the USDA Economic Research Service’s recently released Fruit and Tree Nuts Outlook.
Scott Fryer, American Pistachio Growers vice president of global marketing, said many orchards were planted seven to 10 years ago and trees are maturing to full production.
Farmers switched to pistachios because of strong demand and a relatively stable price, Fryer said.
Continued growth is anticipated for the next three to four years as more acreage comes online.
“The world is getting to know pistachios, and we’re seeing a lot of growth in our export markets,” Fryer said.
He added that the industry was closely monitoring tariffs, which worry growers, but nothing was finalized.
“Tariffs are not new to the organization. It’s something that’s out of our control and we weather it. We obviously will continue to advocate for fair trade policies across the globe,” Fryer said.
The current crop is down 26% from the previous year, which resulted in pistachio inventories falling and lower export volumes in December and January.
“Anytime you have a lower production year, you’re going to have lower shipments,” Fryer said.
Data indicates grower prices are trending higher than the previous year.
The 2024-25 marketing year for pistachios runs from September through August. If projections hold true, the U.S. will lead the world in pistachio production for the ninth straight season.
California pistachio acreage reached a record of 488,000 in 2024, up 25,000 acres from the previous year.
Bearing acreage has increased nearly fivefold in 20 years, and more orchards are on the way.
The Administrative Committee for Pistachios estimated there were approximately 124,000 non-bearing acres with trees in their first through fifth year, as well as another 7,500 newly planted acres.
In 2024, almond bearing acreage was 1.38 million, accounting for 62% of total California tree nut acres, followed by pistachios (22%) and walnuts (16%).
Though almonds tend to be pollinated using honeybees, the share of acreage planted with self-fertilizing varieties has risen rapidly during the past decade.
Industry estimates suggest that 15% of production currently comes from self-fertilizing varieties, mainly Independence.
Pollination services may have been difficult to contract this winter as commercial honey bee losses were high.
Growers of self-pollinating orchards were largely insulated from decreases in production and increases in operating costs.
Hazelnuts, walnuts and pistachios are wind pollinated.
Walnuts have one of the highest chill requirements of California tree nuts, with some varieties needing between 700 and 1,000 hours between 32 degrees and 45 degrees.
California’s Central Valley averaged more than 900 chill hours from November through February. That’s a big increase from the previous winter, when milder temperatures dropped yields.
