Climate Change Threatens California Almond Crop: Study

CALIFORNIA — The role that California plays in the world's almond production is indisputable — the Golden State grows 80 percent of the entire planet's exported almonds. The crop's impact on the state economy is significant, worth $6 billion each year.

According to the California Almond Board, there are 7,600 almond growers and 99 processors in the state.

But climate change could significantly alter almond production here, according to a new study released by British insurance company, CIA Landlords Insurance. It looked at how climate change will alter five of the world's most beloved food crops.

1. Tomatoes in Italy
2. Almonds in California
3. Soybeans in Brazil
4. Coffee in Brazil
5. Hazelnuts in Turkey

How does a warming planet affect food crops? "Winds, droughts, and heavy storms are affecting key agricultural regions around the world, causing many farms to fall short of their required product demand," the report notes.

Specifically for California, almonds "require the most water to grow out of all nuts, just one seed needs 3.2 gallons to reach the size needed in order to be turned to milk."

With California's current drought and those that have come before, providing enough water to almond orchards has become more difficult.

"The droughts have also meant farmers are having to treat the almonds with different pesticides, some of which are deadly for honeybees, an already endangered species," the study notes. "As a result California could begin to see a decline in greenery and flowers, that the bees would have pollinated, and the price of almonds could rise."

The report also notes that "California uses 60% of the honeybee hives in the country just for almond pollination each winter."

Learn more at CIA Landlords Insurance.