The forecast has risen, despite the state’s third year of drought, but is unlikely to have a positive effect on price, said the CAB.
Despite the crop being the largest on record, the CAB has said demand still outweighs supply and it “will be a challenge to meet the growing global need for almonds and almond products”, said Bill Harp, chairman of the CAB.
Nut consumption in the western world has increased by 53% since 2008, according to a recent Mintel report. Consumers were switching from eating three meals a day for lighter snacks, such as nuts, which was driving the increase, said the report.