California Almond Sustainability

Almonds remain the top tree nut in new products globally, and California is one of five regions in the world capable of growing them. There are well over 7,000 almond growers in California, mostly family-owned, multi-generational farms under one hundred acres in size. These Golden State family farmers supply 80% of the world’s almonds.

Sustainable and ecological practices that foster biodiversity and minimal waste are increasingly important to everyone in the supply chain, from farmer to consumer. Three key components are:

Honey Bee Health

Almonds need bees to cross-pollinate and grow, and almond pollen is very nutritious to bees. It is their first natural food source of the year. Almond farmers are proactively taking action on behalf of honeybees, providing biodiversity and supplemental bee forage, and distributing blooming plant seed, as well as understanding which mites, pests, and pesticides are harmful.

Water Conservation

All foods require water to grow, and California almond growers are showing leadership in water conservation. Eighty-five percent now use micro-irrigation. Since the '90s, these growers have reduced the amount of water used for almond crops by thirty-three percent.

The California Almond Sustainability Program (CASP)

Led by the Almond Board of California, CASP uses grower-submitted information to show the sustainability of the almond industry, and to help growers, hullers/shellers, and handlers find ways to improve efficiencies.

By 2025, the Almond Board and partnering growers have committed to:

• Reduce the amount of water per lb. of almonds by an additional 20%

• Increase environmentally friendly pest management tools by 25%

• Reduce dust during harvest by 50%

• Achieve zero waste in the orchard by putting everything we grow to optimal use.