With fewer acres, more mechanization: California leads Spain in almond production, exports to world

Abstract

With rapid expansion of almond acreage since the late 1960s, California has become the world's dominant almond producer and the major supplier in export markets. Spain, the world's number two producer, has more than three times California's acreage, but its comparatively low average yields have limited its penetration of export markets. This article examines differences in the two almond producers, particularly with regard to yield and response to economic incentives.