California walnut industry anticipates strong 2025 crop

Following three consecutive years of average to above-average rainfall and snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountains, California walnut orchards are beginning the growing season with adequate surface water and replenished soil profiles. These favourable conditions, coupled with ideal spring temperatures, have created an environment for strong bloom and early shoot development.

“Things are shaping up to be a tremendously good start to California’s walnut growing season,” says Davin Norene, owner of Big Time Farming and walnut growing specialist. “We are predicting good things ahead of this year’s crop.”

Early walnut varieties began bud break in mid-April, with all varieties, including Chandler, now showing strong shoot growth throughout California’s prime growing regions. The orchards are currently in a critical growth phase, setting the stage for healthy nut development throughout the season.

“The exceptional start to this growing season is a welcome and energising reprieve after navigating a series of tough seasons that demonstrated the resilience and adaptability of California’s walnut industry,” says Robert Verloop, executive director and CEO of the California Walnut Board & Commission. “This spring, growers are well-positioned to capitalise on ideal soil moisture and perfect temperatures, setting the stage for strong yield and quality in the 2025 crop.”

The California Walnut Board (CWB) and California Walnut Commission (CWC) represent more than 3,700 California walnut growers and approximately 70 handlers, grown in multi-generational farmers’ family orchards. California walnuts, known for their excellent nutritional value and quality, are shipped around the world all year long, with more than 99% of the walnuts grown in the United States being from California.

For more information on the California walnut industry, visit walnuts.org.