California Walnut Farmers, Facing Glut, Struggle to Reach Global Markets

World’s top exporter is grappling with supply, lost sales, water crisis.

A 'sweeper' harvests walnuts fallen from walnut trees in Modesto, Calif., in 2018.

Photographer: Mario Tama/Getty Images
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As summer winds down and the holiday season nears, California’s $1 billion walnut industry is gearing up for its busiest shipping season. The problem is getting nuts out the door.

Farmers started the new marketing year Thursday with a massive backlog of product as they prepare to harvest what could be a bumper crop. The state, which grows about 30% of the world’s walnuts, makes up nearly all US production.