California specialty crops face $800 million loss amid severe drought and heat
Extreme heat and a lack of snowpack have driven losses of about $800 million for pistachio growers in California's Central Valley this year.
State water officials say early-spring warmth has produced a drought, with snow in the Northern Sierra and Cascade ranges falling to zero percent of typical June averages, eliminating the gradual melt that usually supplies water through summer and fall. This shortfall has forced water restrictions and raised costs for growers of almonds, pistachios and other specialty crops. Pistachio farms in Fresno, Kern and Tulare counties have collectively lost about $800 million, while Kern County cherry producers reported a 42 % decline, amounting to over $13 million in losses.
The University of California recently held training sessions on managing grapes and nuts under extreme heat, drought, pests and climate variability. California’s agriculture sector, which normally generates over $100 billion in activity and employs 1.2 million workers, now faces urgent pressure to adopt new technologies that reduce water use and boost yields.
Why it matters
The losses threaten a key part of the U.S. food supply and the state's multi-billion-dollar agricultural economy.
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