California’s 2008 almond acreage is estimated at 795,000 acres, up 4 percent from the 2007 acreage of 765,000 acres, according to a May 1 report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Of the total acreage for 2008, 680,000 acres were bearing and 115,000 acres were non-bearing. Preliminary bearing acreage for 2009 is estimated at 710,000 acres.

Nonpareil continued to be the leading variety, followed by Carmel and Butte. Monterey, Padre, and Aldrich varieties showed significant acreage increases.

Kern, Merced, Stanislaus, and Fresno were the leading counties. The four counties had 64 percent of the total acreage, unchanged from the previous year.