Almonds are California’s most valuable export crop. Farmers exported $4.5 billion worth to foreign countries in 2016, about 22% of the state’s total agricultural exports. The majority of these exports went to the European Union, China and India. While the EU is the largest consumer, the latter two countries are expanding markets where the state’s Almond Board has actively marketed the nuts as a healthy snack
As part of the 2018 China–United States trade war, China has imposed a 50% tariff on almonds. As a result, some Chinese businesses have resorted to importing almonds from other producers in Africa and Australia.
Although almonds are not native to California, a hot, dry Mediterranean climate and developed water infrastructure create ideal conditions for commercial cultivation of the crop. The state produces 80% of the world’s almonds and 100% of the United States’ commercial supply
