Product going into stockpiles by Mel Machado
• Direct observation and evaluation of hundreds of Blue Diamond member orchards, as well as other plantings throughout the Central Valley. • Consultation with Blue Diamond members, agronomists, and Crop and Pest Control Advisers on the potential production of the crops they manage. Grower sentiment on the potential of the 2026 crop is generally in line with 2025 production. While bloom- time storms impacted the Central Valley during bloom, regional conditions provided for variable pollination and crop potential. Northern Sacramento Valley: The region endured the poorest bloom-time weather, with the peak of bloom experiencing several rainy days. Bloom conditions improved further to the south, providing orchards along the west side of Colusa, Yolo, and Solano counties with better pollination opportunities and better crop potential. Northern San Joaquin Valley: Reports of the self-fertile variety, Independence, show good crop loads in most orchards. Orchards planted to Nonpareil and Monterey are exhibiting greater variability, with Nonpareil noticeably weaker than the Monterey. Many Aldrich plantings, another Nonpareil partner, produced exceptional yields in the 2025 crop. These plantings are displaying significantly less potential this year. Owing to the later bloom timing versus the rainy
weather, growers report that the Butte and Padre crop appears similar to 2025. Southern San Joaquin Valley: While the area generally has better weather during the bloom, it also faces the greatest water availability challenges. As in northern San Joaquin, apparent yields of the Independence and Monterey varieties appear to be on par, or slightly better than in 2025. However, the apparent yields of the Nonpareil are much more variable. Aldrich did not experience the significant production increase in 2025 that was experienced across the rest of the Central Valley and now appears to be carrying a similar or slightly smaller crop this year. Without the USDA Objective Crop Forecast, we believe that it is in the best interest of our member-growers and customers to provide our insights into the issues that can influence the final crop volume. Stay tuned for updates as the season progresses.
Mel Machado, Chief Agricultural Officer, Blue Diamond Growers
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MAY–JUNE 2026
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