The cost of growing almonds is rising, according to a report in the Bakersfield Californian based on a recent UC cost study.

The 2011 cost and return study Sample Costs to Establish an Orchard and Produce Almonds found that it takes about $2,862 per acre to produce almonds in the northern San Joaquin Valley, up nearly 20 percent from $2,393 in 2006.

An updated report on almond production in the southern San Joaquin Valley is not yet available. The last time the university evaluated almond operations there was 2003, when the cost was $2,155 per acre, the story said.

UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor in San Joaquin County, Paul Verdegaal, told Californian reporter Courtenay Edelhart that it's more and more expensive to grow almonds because water, energy, labor, equipment and other production costs are rising.

"The higher yields and closer plantings are what's saving a lot of the growers down there where you are (in Kern County), and better management to run things more efficiently," Verdegaal was quoted.