Handler Considerations for Almond Stockpiling
1. Maintaining Food Safety
Handlers prioritize preventing contamination, especially in off-site storage, by keeping stockpiles free of dust, pests, and bacteria like Salmonella. Regular inspections and proactive pest control reduce contamination risks before processing.
2. Temperature and Humidity Control
Controlled environments prevent mold and moisture buildup. Handlers should use white-on-black tarps and install sensors to monitor and manage temperature and humidity effectively.
3. Communication with Growers
Clear guidelines and regular updates help growers manage stockpiles and ensure smooth transfers during peak times, maintaining product quality.
4. Documentation and Record-Keeping
Detailed records of conditions like temperature, humidity, and pest control ensure food safety compliance and traceability for recalls or quality issues.
5. Carpophilus Beetle Considerations
The Carpophilus truncatus beetle is a newly identified insect pest for California almonds, found throughout the San Joaquin Valley and the Australian almond industry has been dealing with the pest for a decade.
At The Almond Conference 2023, Almond Board of Australia President and CEO Tim Jackson detailed how devastating the pest can be, especially when introduced to stockpiles of almonds at a processing facility. “They certainly are a ravenous beast. I have seen the beetle in a bin of almonds at a huller/sheller that turned it into a bin of meal in no time,” said Jackson. “You do not want a bin of Carpophilus beetle-infested almonds in a warehouse. It was one of the first things we noticed, and you don't want to jeopardize a lot of product that's clean by having something come into your warehouse.”
To date, the only reliable method for minimizing Carpophilus beetle in the orchard is through very thorough mummy nut removal combined with active destruction of the nuts on the ground – good winter sanitation practices. In-field insecticide treatments have shown very limited efficacy to date, further stressing the importance of winter sanitation and managing the pest both in stockpiles as well as during storage in processing facilities. Some recent data indicate that beetle eggs may be more difficult to reach with fumigation, but the research is still in progress.
The current recommendation is to ensure stockpiles are fumigated as soon as possible (keeping in mind they need to be dry enough). A reminder when using phosphine tablets is that the amount of tablets needed and length of the fumigation depends not only on the volume but also on the ambient temperature and humidity for an effective fumigation. Similarly, for phosphine treatments in the facility, ensure that the temperatures have been considered to determine both rates and duration of the fumigation. Refer to the label for details on temperature and humidity considerations.
