Californian frost affecting almond orchards

The Frost in California has been severe.  Packers are suggesting that it has been the worst episode of cold weather the almond industry has experienced since 1995.

Superficial damage has been showing on affected blossoms.

The entire state’s growing areas were impacted.  In the past two decades, there has been small isolated areas receiving frost, but growers have never witnessed the growing areas from Bakersfield, Fresno, and Sacramento all experiencing multiple days of frost for many hours per night.

The flower colour has started turning a brown colour.  The flowers that have been frozen and will die off.

Some industry experts are predicting the damage will be between 10% to 20% of the entire crop being impacted.  Most growers/packers are withdrawn from new crop sales as they assess the damage.

Saturday saw frigid overnight conditions again in all regions as temperatures ranged from the mid 20s in the coldest areas, to low 30s in the warmest. Once again, growers with water irrigated to try and warm their orchards and save their crop.

We will have a better idea on the amount of damage by mid-late March.