AlmondBeat 2025: Thriving in Uncertain Times

Information provided by Phytech’s Head of Agronomy, Ziv Attia, PhD.

A Season of Challenges—and Opportunities

As the 2025 almond season unfolds, growers face a complex landscape marked by rising input costs, fluctuating crop prices, and unpredictable weather patterns. Recent trade policy shifts have introduced additional uncertainties, adding volatility to market conditions. In such times, every decision, from irrigation scheduling to harvest optimization, becomes critical. How can you stay ahead, optimize resources, and safeguard your orchard's profitability?

In this AlmondBeat, we delve into the current water status in California, early-season strategies, and techniques for managing yields through early stress detection, providing you with the insights needed for a strong start.

Jump to: 

1. Water Status in California 

2. Early Season Strategies 

3. Managing Yields Through Early Stress Detection

4. Tips for Almond Growers in 2025

   
   

1. Water Situation in California

As of March 28, 2025, the water situation presents a mixed outlook for almond growers:

On average, California’s snowpack supplies about 30 percent of California’s water needs.

• Northern California: Snowpack levels are below average but relatively strong. Reservoirs are well-stocked, offering a positive water supply forecast for the coming months.

• Southern California: Water supplies remain constrained, with moderate drought conditions persisting. These challenges are expected to impact water availability through late spring and summer, exerting additional pressure on growers in the region.

🌱 Key Takeaway: With water supplies tight in certain areas, almond farmers must meticulously manage irrigation practices to maintain tree health and yield. Proactive planning and continuous monitoring of regional water availability are essential to navigate the season successfully.

2. Early Season Strategy

With tariffs and market instability creating new pressures, efficiency is more important than ever. Growers need to make every drop of water and every pound of fertilizer count.

What to Focus on Now:

1. Optimize resource use to reduce costs without sacrificing yields.

2. Monitor orchards closely to detect stress before it impacts production.

3. Use real-time data to make irrigation and fertigation decisions based on actual plant needs, not guesswork.

During early season strategizing, Phytech can make all the difference. With real-time data that helps you monitor your orchards, you’ll be able to catch stress early, before it impacts production. Phytech takes the guesswork out of irrigation and fertigation, giving you the confidence to make decisions based on your trees' actual needs. It’s a smarter, more efficient way to care for your orchard and ensure long-term success.

3. Managing Yields Through Early Stress Detection

Almond trees typically bloom in California between mid-February and mid-March.

Why Early Stress Matters

Early-season stress can significantly impact almond trees' metabolism, yield potential, and overall orchard performance. Research done by MJ Martín-Palomo et al. (2022) indicates that water stress during critical growth phases reduces trunk growth, leading to diminished yields.

Implementing continuous monitoring and timely interventions is crucial to mitigate these risks.

How to Stay Ahead

• Prevent long-term damage. Continuous daily tracking helps adjust irrigation and fertigation in real time.

• Monitor stress before symptoms appear. Phytech’s plant sensors detect subtle signs of stress before they become visible.

• Balance costs & orchard health. Using dendrometers to measure Maximum Daily Shrinkage (MDS) ensures targeted stress management.

Phytech's dendrometers attach to trees with one small incision point for stability.

4. Tips for Growers in 2025

1. Use Phytech Daily – Get real-time insights to guide orchard decisions.

2. Track Plant Status – Adjust irrigation based on tree stress and growth signals.

3. Fine-tune irrigation – Apply water at optimal pressures to target the active root zone.

4. Optimize Inputs – Reduce costs by leveraging precise, data-driven irrigation and fertigation strategies.

   
   

As 2025 unfolds, a proactive approach backed by advanced monitoring technology will be essential to protecting yields and profitability. By applying past insights and embracing innovation, growers can stay competitive despite the uncertainties ahead.

👉 Stay tuned for more updates in the 2025 AlmondBeat Report!

Resources for further information 

• Drought Management for California Almonds Impacts of Stress on Almond Growth and Yield: https://www.almonds.com/sites/default/files/content/attachments/8515_drought-management-almond-swb2.pdf

• Almond Tree Adaptation to Water Stress: Differences in Physiological Performance and Yield Responses among Four Cultivar Grown in Mediterranean Environment https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10004802/

• Almond Industry Position Report FEBRUARY 2025 https://www.almonds.com/sites/default/files/2025-03/2025.02_PosRpt_0251.pdf

• Water situation in California information: https://www.mundus-agri.eu/news/almonds-watering-expectations.n34600.html

• California snowpack is near-average — what does this mean for water supplies? https://calmatters.org/environment/water/2025/03/california-snowpack-below-average/

• Trunk growth rate frequencies as water stress indicator in almond trees: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378377422003122