BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Summer-like heat that hit Kern County in March is expected to cause unprecedented losses for pistachio growers, with the damage likely to ripple to consumers through higher prices.
The high temperatures arrived in mid-March during pistachio pollination, leaving many growers with blank shells instead of kernels. “It was during that time when pollination was happening for pistachios. And that heat event really disrupted the pollination. So it’s basically considered a failed pollination,” said Cerise Montanio, Kern County’s assistant agricultural commissioner.
Across the Central Valley, pistachio crop losses are being reported. In Kern County, a survey found an approximate 56% loss in overall production, resulting in an estimated financial loss of just over $395 million.
Montanio said Kern County has asked the state to seek a disaster declaration, which could help local farmers access crop insurance and additional loan support. She said reduced supply could push prices up.
“There’s going to be an impact on the availability of that commodity. So, usually supply and demand. So supply goes down, we are probably going to see an increase in prices,” Montanio said.
Some business reports expect a 20% increase in pistachio prices this fall and winter, and the higher prices could last up to a year.
Joe Coehlo, director of sustainability and member outreach for American Pistachio Growers and a pistachio grower, said the losses vary widely from farm to farm.
“Some growers have very small crops, if anything, and some people will have to collect insurance and walk away from the crop altogether. Others are going to have a harvested crop that has a high price on it. And that break-even price, it goes down on yield, as the price goes up,” Coehlo said.
Coehlo said the industry has not seen this kind of production reset since 2015, but noted that event hit during dormancy, while this year’s heat arrived during pollination, creating a different set of impacts for growers.
The March heat also damaged cherry crops in Kern County. A survey of cherry growers estimates a 42% drop in production, translating to more than $13 million in financial losses.
Montanio said officials do not know when the state will respond to the county’s request for assistance, but they hope it will be soon.