California Almond Facts & Statistics 2025
California’s 2025 almond harvest is projected at 3.00 billion meat‑pounds, a solid 10% increase over last year, according to the USDA‑NASS Objective Measurement Report. Almonds are a cornerstone of California agriculture and play a vital role in feeding global markets and supporting numerous small businesses within the food supply chain.
Exploring what percentage of California almonds are exported reveals how deeply export-driven dynamics shape ingredient sourcing and unlock opportunities for brands built on California’s premium nut supply.
What Percentage of California Almonds Are Exported in 2025?
According to the April 2025 Position Report from the Almond Board of California, export shipments for the 2024–25 season (August 1 through April 30) totaled approximately 1.532 billion pounds, while domestic shipments amounted to about 728 million pounds, generating an export share of roughly 74 % through April 2025.
Exports have maintained this strong pace even as total shipments dipped slightly year‑over‑year. In April alone, handlers shipped 241.1 million pounds, unchanged from April 2024, with 187.8 million pounds sent overseas, a 6.3% increase over the previous year’s export volume.
Looking at broader figures, the industry closed April with total shipments of 2.05 billion pounds, representing a 1.42% decline compared to the same period a year earlier. Within that, export movement held remarkably steady, down only 0.07% year‑over‑year, while domestic shipments dropped more significantly.
Why So Much Export? Global Demand & California’s Market Role
California isn’t just a big almond producer; it’s the world’s almond capital. The state accounts for approximately 80 % of global almond production and 100 % of U.S. commercial acreage.
In 2022, California’s total agricultural exports reached about $23.6 billion, of which almonds alone represented $4.6–$4.7 billion. That means almonds made up roughly 20 % of California’s total agricultural export value, making them the state’s single most valuable food export.
Major markets include the European Union, India, China, the UAE, Turkey, and Morocco. The Almond Board has consistently invested in expanding global consumption, especially in emerging markets.
Historical & Year‑over‑Year Export Statistics (2020–2025)
Charting almond export trends from 2020 through April 2025 illustrates how export-share dynamics have steadily strengthened, confirming California’s role as a global nut supplier. Below is a concise table summarizing that evolution:
| Crop Year | Exported Volume (lbs, YTD Apr) | Domestic Volume (lbs, YTD Apr) | Estimated Export Share |
| 2020–21 | ~1.65 billion* | ~900 million* | ~65 % |
| 2021–22 | ~1.70 billion* | ~800 million* | ~68 % |
| 2022–23 | ~1.85 billion* | ~900 million* | ~67 %** |
| 2023–24 | ~1.95 billion | ~820 million | ~70–72 % |
| 2024–25 (through Apr 2025) | 1.532 billion | 728 million | ~74 % |
* Figures estimated from early-market trends and position report summaries from The Almond Board of California.
Why This Matters to Your Business
This upward trend, from export shares in the mid-60% range to roughly 74% today, reflects growing global demand and an expanding marketing reach for California almonds. For small brands, this means that California-grown almond ingredients benefit from scale, reliability, and an international presence, not to mention ingredient sourcing options rooted in a region with proven export leadership.
What Drives Export Share?
Understanding the momentum behind California’s almond exports, and why around 70–74% of production heads overseas, starts with a few foundational strengths and industry actions:
Export Infrastructure & Cooperative Networks
California’s export strength is supported by a tightly integrated network: 7,600 almond growers and 99 processors/handlers work within a unified system backed by the Almond Board of California. Nearly all almonds are processed in-state, mainly in the Central Valley, and then distributed globally through coordinated logistics and export planning. This framework ensures consistent quality, food safety compliance, and efficient handling that underpin export resilience across more than 100 international markets.
Marketing and Trade Development by the Almond Board
The Almond Board of California leads strategic export development globally through trade missions, market diversification, and regulatory support. This work has helped open doors in emerging regions like India, Turkey, Pakistan, and the Middle East.
Quality, Shelf Life, and Clean‑Label Appeal
California almonds are well-regarded worldwide for their consistent food-safety protocols, extended shelf life, and clean-label credentials. These traits are actively promoted by ABC in international technical support and branding, making the nuts especially appealing to health-conscious markets.
Trade Tensions and Tariff Risks
While global demand remains solid, new retaliatory tariffs from countries like China, India, and the EU pose risks. These trade measures can reduce volumes and create pricing pressure. Despite that, export share remains high thanks to diversified markets and strong logistical infrastructure.
Industry Response and Advocacy
The Almond Board, supported by the Almond Alliance, actively works to safeguard market access. Their advocacy on trade policy, pesticide standards, and market regulation helps mitigate risks and keeps California almonds competitive.
Implications for Small Brands and Startups Using Almond Ingredients
With about 70–74 % of California almonds earmarked for international markets, ingredient sourcing in this region combines scale reliability with the premium quality that small and emerging food brands need. This dynamic offers several advantages for startups:
- Stable, Tariff-Proof Supply: California-grown almonds are backed by U.S.-based sourcing and well-supported export infrastructure.
- Flexible and Clean-Label Ingredients: Brands benefit from the reputation and safety standards of California almonds, appealing to natural and plant-based consumers.
- Packaging Agility: Small minimum order quantities (MOQs) and customizable packaging options make it possible to scale nut butter products without overcommitting.
That’s where JSS Almonds enters the conversation, partnering with small brands to provide batch-sized almond ingredients with high quality, customization in service and formulations, and flexibility. All tailored for small food startups and emerging brands.
Partner with JSS Almonds to Power Your Nut‑Butter Innovations
As export demand continues to grow, the strength and scale of California almond supply play to your advantage. A partner like JSS Almonds delivers the benefits of premium California nuts along with local agility.
JSS Almonds is a family-owned, California-based supplier, delivering tariff-proof almond ingredients with small MOQs and flexible packaging tailored for startups and emerging brands. With clean-label nut pastes and personalized service, at JSS, we support food entrepreneurs in bringing delicious almond-based products to market with agility and confidence.
Whether you’re exploring formulations, scaling for retail-ready packaging, or testing new nut-butter flavors, JSS Almonds blends family values, market expertise, and startup-ready flexibility to simplify innovation and ingredient sourcing.
Let’s work together to create products that delight your customers and set your brand apart. Contact us to learn how JSS Almonds can be your trusted partner in product innovation and manufacturing.