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 7th –8th 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.
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
8.) Planting Almond Trees - Number of Almonds Trees per hectare and acre
10.) Almond Tree Water Requirements
11.) Almond Tree Fertilization
12.) Almond Tree Harvest & Yield
13.) Almond Tree Pests and Diseases
Do you have experience in Almond Tree cultivation? Please share your experience, methods and practices in the comments below. All the content you add will be soon reviewed by our agronomists. Once approved, it will be added to Wikifarmer.com and it will influence positively thousands of new and experienced farmers across the world.