Production and growing regions.

Abstract

Abstract This chapter provides information on almond production in Asia, eastern Europe, Mediterranean countries and New World regions in North and South America and in Australia. General production statistics for the past 60 years are shown, with more detailed data from 2001 to 2010. In the New World production regions (USA, Chile, Australia) most cultivars are soft shell with a high shelling percentage, whereas in more traditional growing areas (Spain, Italy, central Asia) most cultivars are hard-shell, with a lower shelling percentage. Despite falling production in most traditional growing regions, global production has more than doubled in the past 20 years from a 1994 crop of only 354 259.3 tm. Most of the increase in production has occurred in California (USA), where a doubling in crop area combined with a tripling of per hectare productivity has occurred.