jul-aug-2019

Blue Diamond Investment Programs — Current Investment Rates available as of July 1, 2019 Blue Diamond Growers offers members short-term and long-term investment programs. The objective of these programs is to serve as a competitive investment alternative for our members and provide Blue Diamond Growers with a steady source of funds. The interest rates effective July 1, 2019 for the program are listed below: For more information, contact your local Regional Manager, or Member Services at 209.545.6225. This summary does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to purchase investment certificates. We will provide a package of documents for the programs to those members who are California residents and who express an interest in participating in the program. Short-Term Investment Certificate (STIC) Long-Term Investment Certificate (LTIC) (Maturity Date of 6/30/2022) Initial Investment Required $1,000 $50,000 Interest Rate 3.00% 3.50% (Variable, subject to change) (Fixed rate) Korean Ag Co-op Group Visits Blue Diamond The cooperative welcomed visitors from Korea who visited Blue Diamond ’s Salida campus where they were introduced to the cooperative and received a tour of the facility. This visit was arranged by the U.S. Embassy Agricultural Trade Office in Seoul and the visitors are part of the National Agriculture Cooperative Federation in Korea. Many were familiar with Blue Diamond almonds and recently noticed the availability of Almond Breeze ® in Korea. Jeff Sleeper, International Sales Director (Asia/Pacific) for Blue Diamond , acknowledges this is a great opportunity for the cooperative. “Our participation and openness to host international agriculture groups definitely goes a long way in our relationship with the Agricultural Trade Office and helps further solidify our good-standing with them.” NASS Releases Objective Forecast for Almond Crop This year’s Objective Report projects an almond crop down 12 percent from the May 2019 California Almond Subjective Forecast of 2.5 billion pounds. The Objective Report collects data later in the growing season, closer to harvest, and is based on an actual count of nuts on the trees versus phone interviews with farmers, the method used for the Subjective Forecast. According to the Objective Report, the average nut set per tree is 4,667, down 17.8 percent from the 2018 almond crop. The Nonpareil average nut set per tree is 4,429, down 10.1 percent from last year’s set. The average kernel weight for all varieties sampled was 1.54 grams, unchanged from the 2018 average weight. 1 7 J U L Y – A U G U S T 2 0 1 9