Almond Farmers Face a Double Whammy

California's almond farmers are facing a tough situation. They are used to dealing with unpredictable weather and water supplies. Yet, they now face another challenge: trade battles. The U. S. government has imposed tariffs on various countries. This could affect where almonds are sold and impact the state's economy. The state produces most of the world's almonds, about 80 percent. More than three-quarters of these almonds are exported. So, tariffs could have big effects. China has already raised tariffs on U. S. almonds. This is on top of previous tariffs. If more countries follow suit, the almond industry could suffer. Prices might drop, and farms might close. This could lead to a lot of uncertainty for farmers. The U. S. has imposed 10% tariffs on China. It has also threatened tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico. This has led to retaliation from trading partners. China has raised tariffs on various U. S. goods, including almonds. This makes California's almonds more expensive in China. Other countries, like Australia, might gain market share. Almonds are California's top agricultural export. In 2022, the state made $4. 7 billion from almond exports. Half of this went to the European Union and India. Experts say the key is to keep exporting to many different markets. This will help reduce the impact of tariffs. Many farmers in the Central Valley support some of the government's policies. These policies aim to increase water supply to their fields. The area is known for growing fresh produce, including almonds. However, the tariffs are a big challenge. Farmers need certainty to plan ahead. They don't expect to harvest a new orchard for at least three years. Then, they plan to grow it for two decades. The uncertainty about tariffs makes planning difficult. The lack of certainty is a bigger problem than the tariffs themselves. Farmers need to know what to expect. This will help them make better decisions. They can't just focus on one market. They need to keep exporting to many different countries. This will help them stay afloat in these tough times. The tariffs are a challenge, but they are not the only one. Farmers also face other issues, like unpredictable weather and water supplies. They need to be ready for anything.