Almonds: harvest is in full swing

September 8, 2022 at 12:50 PM , Der AUDITOR
Play report as audio

MADRID/SACRAMENTO. In Spain, the almond harvest is in full swing, but agricultural organisations are urging growers to hold back their goods. Meanwhile, there is dissatisfaction with the current prices.

Dissatisfaction is spreading

Many food commodities have become more expensive due to inflation, rising energy costs, etc. However, almond prices are largely defying this trend, which is not at all to the liking of the market players and especially the Spanish farmers' associations. Again and again they call on the growers to hold back their goods and not to rush into the market in order to ensure higher prices. But the pressure of US almond production, which could still achieve a relatively good result despite the forecast decline of about 12%, is also felt in the Spanish almond market.

Although prices for US almonds and almond preparations on the European spot market fluctuate every now and then by up to EUR 0.30/kg, prices for Spanish Valencias have been stable to slightly declining for weeks. Valencia almonds, natural, 12/14 mm are currently offered at a level of EUR 4.40/kg FCA Spain. The experts from Blue Diamond Almonds report that the US almond crop is significantly smaller than usual in many places due to frost during the flowering period, and that there are also many small almond kernels due to the drought. At least the loss due to pest infestation is limited.

Almonds

Type

EUR/kg

Valencia, 12/14 mm, natural, Spain

4.40

Valencia, +14 mm, natural, Spain

4.60

Nonpareil, Extra No 1, 23/25, USA

6.05

Carmel, SSR, 23/25, USA

4.75

FCA Spain

High losses in Spanish growing regions

Spanish agricultural media report that the crop volume is expected to decline by almost a third to 61,684 mt compared to last year, almost half of which is grown in Andalusia. The agricultural organisation UPA Granada recently announced that due to the frost last April and the current high temperatures, the region is expecting a 50% drop in production compared to last year to 15,000 mt - after the 2021 crop was already significantly smaller (2021: 32,600 mt vs. 2020: 62,286 mt). About 40% of Andalusian almonds are grown in Granada. UPA Granada is now demanding government support for the affected farmers. In total, the loss is said to amount to 120 million euros. The persistent drought and a low rainfall rate are also a risk in the long term, as the almond trees are drying out. Spain's almond harvest is now in full swing and the results should be visible in the coming weeks.

View more
price chart, almonds, natural, +14, Valencia
price chart, almonds, natural 13/14, Largueta
price chart, almonds, blanched, 27/30, California SSR
more price charts

Attached Files

File icon
price chart almonds, natural, 12-14 mm, Valencia

View related articles

Go to the News Overview
Nuts
Jan 15, 2025
ROTTERDAM. Prospects are quite encouraging for macadamias with harvesting about to start in South Africa and Kenya. Yet, competition from China is fierce and uncertainty persists about Trump’s proposed tariffs. Offers for the 2025 crop are available in Europe.
Nuts
Jan 15, 2025
ISTANBUL. According to traders the Dubai chocolate hype no longer is the main stimulator for pistachios in Turkey. Other factors have rather entered the scene in January. News concerning the next crop is also emerging form the orchards.
Nuts
Jan 14, 2025
SACRAMENTO. US shipments have flatlined for almonds. Exports to India will gain. Sentiments are still bullish.
Nuts
Jan 13, 2025
NEW DELHI/BUENOS AIRES. The first price increases have taken place on the Indian peanut market – suppliers had been waiting for this for a long time. Government purchases and Ramadan could fuel the increases, but there are also obstacles. Meanwhile, sowing in Argentina has been completed.