THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF AMERICAN PISTACHIOS During the 1880s, imported pistachios were popular in the USA, especially with Middle Eastern immigrants. The pistachio received further distribution through vending machines installed in underground train stations, bars, restaurants and other common locations. “A dozen for a nickel” soon developed into a familiar slogan.
THE AMERICAN PISTACHIO INDUSTRY TODAY Today, the states of California, Arizona and New Mexico represent 100 percent of the U.S. commercial pistachio production. California comprises 99 percent of the total, with over 312,000 acres planted throughout 22 counties. There are 950 producers in the United States, and the annual “farm gate value”* of pistachios represents more than $1.6 billion to the California economy and more than $16 million to the states of Arizona and New Mexico.
