Growing Almond Trees for Profit

How to start an Almond Farm – Commercial Cultivation of Almond Trees

The almond tree is often included in lists with the top 5 or 10 most profitable plants to grow. However, these studies may assume optimum climate conditions for almond trees, and these conditions cannot be found anywhere. Consequently, location is maybe the most important parameter when growing almond trees for profit. The tree thrives in certain climate conditions, and deviating significantly from these requirements will cost the grower in terms of production. Secondly, almond trees do not produce a good yield until the 6th or 7th year of orchard establishment, even with high quality management from experienced growers. A grower has to be patient and of course proactive to carry the costs of the first years without expecting remarkable income. To this, you have to add that the almond tree (as many other fruit trees) has an inherent tendency toward Alternate Bearing (the tree produces a very good yield in one year and a low –if not zero- yield in the following year). This of course creates many problems, as the grower in many cases cannot project the yield of his/her orchard and cannot proceed to timely commercial agreements with merchants. Alternate Bearing also results in revenues fluctuations from year to year and hence in deterioration of cash flow projections.

Planting, Irrigation, Fertilization, Pollination, Pruning and Pest Control are very important for the quantity and quality of production and represent the majority of costs. Finally, harvesting is a labor intensive procedure when carried out by hand. In organized almond orchards in US, harvesting is made via big shaking tractors that attach to the trees and shake the branches, so that the fruits can fall to the ground, where they are often left for a couple of days  in order to dry out. Then, they are collected and sorted.

The average almond tree enters maturity period (and hence can produce good yields) from the 7^th –8^th year of its age. Its life expectancy is estimated at 50 years.

You can enrich this article by leaving a comment of your almond farm’s profitability and management.

1.) Almond Tree Info & Uses

2.) How to grow an Almond Tree from seed

3.) Growing Almond Trees for Profit

4.) Almond Tree Climate Requirements

5.) Almond Tree Soil Requirements & Preparation

6.) Almond Tree Propagation

7.) Almond Tree Pollination

8.) Planting Almond Trees – Number of Almonds Trees per hectare and acre

9.) Almond Tree Pruning

10.) Almond Tree Water Requirements

11.) Almond Tree Fertilization

12.) Almond Tree Harvest & Yield

13.) Almond Tree Pests and Diseases

14.) Q&As Almond Tree

15.) Bulk almonds near me

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