It’s no surprise to California pistachio growers that this season’s crop is looking light and experts say chilling hours were a bigger problem than the drought.
Chilling Hours Worse Than Drought
This year was expected to be an off-year for pistachio growers, but many producers saw a significant reduction in yield this year. Projection reports show the crop coming in extremely light due to a combination of the extended drought and warmer winter weather. Cooperative Extension Pistachio and Citrus Farm Advisor Craig Kallsen says the latter was likely a much bigger issue as it resulted in very little chilling hours for the trees.