Pistachio Chilling Hours Worse Than Drought

Taylor Hillman Specialty Crops, Tree, nut & vine crops

chilling hours
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.