Almonds: complaints about fishy pricing policy

July 29, 2020 at 10:01 AM , Der AUDITOR
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MADRID/SACRAMENTO. At a meeting between the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture and the Union of Farmers' and Livestock Breeders' Associations, the opaque pricing policy in the nut market, especially for almonds, was discussed. As...

... the prices on the international almond market have fallen drastically since the beginning of the year, there are regular accusations that the prices for Spanish almonds do not follow the actual supply and demand situation and are exposed to the arbitrariness of fewer market players and speculators. It is legally anchored that market prices must relate to production costs.

What is often ignored in this argumentation is the fact that Spain and Australia are the largest almond producers after the USA, but still produce only a small part compared to what is harvested in California. With an expected crop of 1.36 million mt of US almonds, the US is therefore generally setting the tone, and this year's situation has also caused demand for almonds to decline significantly in many parts of the food industry. However, if it were up to the Spanish market players, the national almond market would be a closed system in which prices would be based exclusively on supply and demand for their own production.

Low prices for the time being

Spanish almond prices are largely stable this week, while the price indications for US almonds in the European spot market show a slight downward trend. Depending on the supplier, however, there may be slight deviations. No significant price corrections are expected for the time being, but market players do not rule out a further price decline once the new US crop is available.

Almonds

Type

EUR/kg

Valencia, 12/14 mm, natural, Spain

4.20

Valencia, 12/14 mm, blanched, Spain

5.00

Carmel Supreme, 30/32, natural, USA

4.05

Carmel Supreme, 23/25, natural, USA

4.10

Almonds, diced, USA

4.55

Almond meal, blanched, USA

4.45

FCA Spain

View more information
price chart, almonds. natural. 18/20, Valencia
price chart, almonds, natural 27/30, Largueta
price chart, almonds, blanched, 27/30, California SSRmore price charts

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price chart almonds, natural, 12-14 mm, Valencia
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price chart almonds, natural, 27-30, California SSR

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