History of commercial production of raisins

Commercial raisins production in California began around 1873, the result of three major events; the development of irrigation system, transportation facilities furnished by the railroads and the introduction and distribution of suitable vine planting material.

The hot rainless summer weather of the and Joaquin Valley made it s center of raisin making, which requires four times the amount of fresh grapes that will finally be yielded in dried product.

By 1923 California produced 90% of the raisin in the US and 60% of those throughout the world. The seed ‘Muscat of Alexandria’ was the first major raisin variety grown in California, but this was soon to change with the introduction of a seedless variety that eventually dominate the raisin industry.

Raisins have since 1929 met severe competition in foreign markets and exports have been declining from the peak reached during the marketing season of 1928-29.
History of commercial production of raisins

Pistachio industry in United States

Archeology in Israel has shown that early hominids were cracking pistachios and other nuts as long as 780,000 years ago.

The pistachios were brought to California around 1854. In the 1930s a team of American experts – botanists started to look for the best material in Iran suitable for cultivation and subsequent growing in the same conditions as those in Iran.

The first commercial crop was not harvested until 1976. Plantings have increased sharply in the three major production areas, Iran, California and Turkey. Since 1985 pistachio production has been initiated in China, Argentina, Australia and South Africa.

California grew slowly as a producer, exporting its first crop only in 1976. Thereafter California emerged as the behemoth in the pistachio industry becoming in 2007 either the first or second exporter, vying with Iran.

California pistachio producers established a marketing agreement in February 2005 which sets standards and requires testing for quality and for aflatoxin levels.

As is true of American agriculture in general, pistachio production is a technologically and capital-intensive industry. Because of cost a single grower is unlikely to own an orchard.
Pistachio industry in United States