Almond prices have dropped 20 percent from an all-time high five months ago, as demand has fallen worldwide.
This year's crop could put even more almonds into the marketplace, depending on the weather.
The bloom season for almonds could come by mid-February just at the time El Niño could bring heavy rain. Ripon almond grower Dave Phippen says a series of rainy days would hurt the crop during a critical time.
"If it's wet, not only will the bees not be able to pollinate, but we're also going to have some losses from different blight," he says.
According to Phippen, while almond prices have slipped from $5 a pound, the hope is lower prices will spur demand.
He says, "The new almond prices that we're seeing today somewhere in the $3 range, probably there's going to be sufficient demand to move the crop."
Phippen also says many recently planted orchards will come into production for the first time this year and that will increase the supply.
California is the largest producer of almonds in the world.
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