PRESIDENT’S CORNER
As I write the column for this edition, I am at the INC World Nut & Dried Fruit Congress in Spain. As the world’s largest nut and dried fruit event, it’s a great opportunity to discuss the challenges in our industry and how we can work together to overcome them.
Back in California, summer is almost here, and it’s shaping up to be another busy season at Blue Diamond ! I know many of you are out in the orchards, fertilizing and tending your trees and Mel has been keeping me updated on the plant bug situation. It seems that what used to be an occasional pest has now become an annual challenge. On top of that, abandoned and neglected orchards continue to be a concern, serving as breeding grounds for pests like the navel orangeworm, which can cause significant issues for neighboring, healthy orchards. One of the recent Masters sessions featured USDA and pest control subject matter experts who shared the latest strategies on addressing plant bug and navel orangeworm infestations. We know it’s essential to stay informed, and we are committed to keeping you updated on developments that impact your farming operations and the industry as a whole. The team has coordinated a few of these sessions to share knowledge and resources and I encourage you to be on the lookout for similar opportunities in the future where you can participate. Trade and economic market shifts are top of mind for many growers, too, as we navigate evolving challenges and opportunities in the agriculture landscape. The second session of the Masters series featured our own vice president of Ingredients, Branded International and Business Development, Laura Gerhard, and chief Government and Public Affairs officer, Alicia Rockwell, where they discussed the implication of tariffs, emerging risks, and
evolving market trends. In April, Alicia spent time on Capitol Hill engaging with policymakers and advocating for Blue Diamond to ensure our growers’ voices were heard on critical issues. Many of you have asked about the Partnerships for the Climate-Smart Commodities (PCSC) program, or as you may know it, the Climate- Smart Grant, that supports Whole Orchard Recycling. Under the new administration, this initiative has been restructured into the Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) program. The good news is that we meet all eligibility criteria! More information on this is coming soon. On the sales front, we continue to expand our reach within the produce aisle and beyond. In collaboration with Oppy, we secured a major placement in all 189 Jewel-Osco stores across Chicago, featuring Lightly Salted and Whole Natural, Oven Roasted Honey, Sea Salt & Black Pepper, Toasted Almonds & Cherries, and Sea Salt Almonds & Blueberries as part of their “Spring Into Fresh” program. We also partnered with Roundy’s, a division of Kroger, to showcase our products in 150 stores during May and June, offering promotional pricing to attract new customers. For those of you who follow college basketball, the March Madness campaign was a real success. The campaign sold the largest quantity of displays to date. It also contributed to a significant overall volume lift and a category share gain.
Kai Bockmann President & CEO
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ALMOND FACTS
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