Title

The Economic Feasibility of Establishing a Pine Nut Orchard in California

Author(s) Information

Jason Joseph Colombini, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow

College - Author 1

College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences

Department - Author 1

Agribusiness Department

Degree Name - Author 1

BS in Agricultural Business

Date

6-2014

Primary Advisor

Wayne Howard, College of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences, Agribusiness Department

Abstract/Summary

The purpose of this project was to determine where pine nuts could be grown in California and if they would be economically feasible to grow in California.

There is very limited information for growing pine nuts in a domesticated orchard. Areas where there was a lack of information were completed with assumptions using costs for walnuts. Once all costs were determined, they were entered into an Excel spreadsheet for analysis.

It has been concluded that pine nuts could be grown in California, mainly in the far northern intermountain regions such as Modoc County. The breakeven for the enterprise would not be until the 22^nd year, making the prospect of a pine nut farm technically feasible, but not recommended unless prices become much higher, yields can be increased, expenses turn out to be lower than the numbers used for walnuts, or a combination of these things.

URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/agbsp/124