California Business Minute™

Hi, I am Tim Johnson and welcome to the California Business Minute.

An economic analysis commissioned by the Western Pistachio Association illustrates
that the pistachio growers from the three primary growing regions: California,
Arizona and New Mexico, create nearly $682.5 million annually.  But it is California
where the majority of activity is present.

The research indicates pistachio growers spend nearly $415.3 million each year to
produce the pistachio crop. This spending has a ripple effect of economic activity
that, in turn, creates 5,910 full-time equivalent jobs each year. The increase in
employment generates more than $224.4 million annually in wages and salaries for
new employees, as well as for the expanded incomes for existing industry jobs.

Additionally, more than $24.4 million annually in tax revenue and other business
licenses and fees are generated from the economic activity created by pistachio
growers – that is $66,849 in funding each day of the year. Depending on how these
funds are used, they can help pay for state and local programs that further benefit
the residents of California, Arizona and New Mexico.

The report demonstrates the impact pistachio growers have on the states' economies
annually, based on averages during an eight year time span from 2000-2008. These
averages were reviewed by growers through surveys and interviews and adjusted to
reflect 2010 estimations.

I am Tim Johnson and this has been the California Business Minute.

The full economic impact report and related fact sheets can be found at
www.westernpistachio.org.