Walnut farmers get 74 cent price, below cost of production/ Raisin update
California walnut farmers suffered another year of low walnut prices for their crop in 2025. USDA reports that the average walnut price in 2025 was 74 cents/lb, down from 92 cents in 2024.
In recent years, 2020,2021,2022,2023 growers saw well below a $1/lb threshold considered the cost of production.
In 2022, California walnut farmers got as little as 29 cents/lb. USDA says the crop size was 807,644 tons in 2025, up from 603,000 in 2024,and another low price year in 2023 with 833,000 tons.That year farmers saw just 43cents/lb.
The good news for this year – 2026- the crop is smaller again.
A UC Davis study said if a farmer is planting a new orchard the yearly operating costs cited in the study for northern San Joaquin Valley in 2017 and inflation adjusted for 2026 figured price of $1.20 per inshell pound.
On Oct. 1, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated the state’s crop this year at 680,000 tons, down 16% from last year. Inconsistent chill hours during winter and varying temperatures in the spring caused uneven pollination and a lighter nut set, according to an October report from the California Walnut Board and Commission. Robert Verloop, CEO of the walnut board, said prices for growers were expected to be “significantly higher” this year than the 75 cents a pound they earned on average for last year’s crop. However, “they may not go up enough to cover the light crop and higher production cost,” Verloop said.
2025 raisin crop price down slightlyUSDA says the 2025 raisin crop at 237,000 tons saw an average price per ton of $1,720, down from $1,781 in 2024.Tonnage in 2024 was 226,000.
Survey says rising diesel prices put hurt on farms
A California Farm Bureau survey reports tough times due to
diesel fuel prices near $8.50 a gallon this week.”Diesel prices matter,” says California Farm Bureau
President Shannon Douglass. “Diesel powers the
equipment that plants, irrigates, harvests and
transports our food. These survey results show the
financial pressure fuel costs are placing on family
farms across California. Farmers won’t survive if
something doesn’t change.”
When asked, farmers mentioned the different
concerns they have around rising diesel prices:
“We have to sell property because we can no longer afford
to pay for fuel for the equipment. With all the raising costs
we are months away from foreclosure.” -Karen S.
“We are on razor thin margins and income is seasonal.
Spiking of big inputs like diesel causes uncertainty, delays
plans and makes you think of where you can cut to offset
the diesel price.” -Bryan A.
“Increased diesel costs have eliminated any potential profit
from our 2026 crop.” -Adam E.