President Donald Trump’s tariffs are making the almond business a tougher nut to crack for San Joaquin County growers.
When Trump slapped more tariffs on China earlier this month, it didn’t take long for a round of retaliation. China answered by imposing an additional 10% on raw and manufactured tree nuts imported from the U.S. Adding the latest taxes to those China had already imposed during Trump’s first administration, the total tariff rate on all imported U.S. tree nuts now stands at 35%.
California provides 80% of the world’s almond supply, with about half of its production being exported, according to the Almond Board of California. But the tariff wars are proving costly for growers.
A 2022 study by two researchers, one at UC Davis and the other at North Dakota State University, estimated that tariffs cost the California almond industry $875 million between 2018 and 2022.
This time, the industry is trying to minimize additional market losses.
Rick Kushman, spokesman for the California Almond Board, said Canada, China, Mexico and the EU continue to be important markets for the industry.
“California almonds are shipped to more than 100 destinations and maintaining a diverse export program is essential,” Kushman said in a statement. “We continue to support reducing barriers to trade, and smooth market access for California almonds.”
In San Joaquin County, almonds were the third the most valuable agricultural product in 2023, according to the most recent report released by the county Agricultural Commissioner’s Office. Almonds were behind milk and grapes. Production was valued at $343.6 million.
Ripon bills itself as the “The Almond Capital of the World” and has had an annual Almond Blossom Festival since 1962.
Want more? Sign up to get Stocktonia delivered to your inbox three days a week.