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Almonds: Australia's April exports reach record level

June 22, 2022 at 8:03 AM , Der AUDITOR
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MADRID/CANBERRA. Almond exporters report good export figures. US shipments are slowly picking up, Spain's exports remain well above last year and Australia could face a new record season.

Spanish almond exports well ahead of last year

Spain's almond exports are maintaining their lead over last year, even though the pace of exports is slowing as the season progresses. In April this year, the export volume of 10,770 mt was just behind the same month last year (April 2021: 10,948 mt). Shipments to main consumer countries such as France (-2.2% to 2,476 mt) and Germany (-0.7% to 2,097 mt) fell slightly, while exports to Italy increased by 16% to 1,993 mt.

In total, 116,206 mt of shelled and unshelled almonds have been shipped overseas from Spain since the beginning of this season, almost 10% more than in the first nine months of the 2020/2021 season. Major consumer countries such as France, Germany and Italy increased their imports year-on-year, while shipments to Belgium and Portugal also increased. At the same time, shipments to the UK as well as to the Netherlands and the USA were lower.

Almond exports, Spain, in mt

Destination

2020/21

2021/22

Diff.

France

22,778

28,305

24.3%

Germany

22,397

24,094

7.6%

Italy

18,471

19,787

7.1%

UK

6,329

4,754

-24.9%

Belgium

3,549

4,697

32.3%

Portugal

3,200

4,032

26.0%

Netherlands

4,321

3,790

-12.3%

Poland

3,315

3,722

12.3%

USA

2,429

2,188

-9.9%

Greece

1,719

2,044

18.9%

Others

17,288

18,793

8.7%

Total

105,796

116,206

9.8%

Quelle: Spanish Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism; 01/08/2021-30/04/2022

Australia with new record figures

The Australian Almond Bord was already confident at the beginning of the calendar year that the good export results of last year could be continued thanks to the new record crop. Indeed, in the first two months of the new season (March-April 2022), a total of 8,692 mt of almonds were exported from Australia, a good quarter more than in the same period last year. In April 2022, export volumes were about 17% higher than the same month last year, setting a new monthly record of 5,814 mt.

Shipments to China were up by almost two-thirds to 4,014 mt in the first two months of this season, and exports to Spain, New Zealand and the Netherlands were also up on last year's volume. At the same time, however, shipments to India, which is also one of the main customers, fell by almost 40% to 1,021 mt.

Almond* exports, Australia, in mt

Destination

2021/22

2022/23

Diff.

China

2,473

4,014

62.3%

India

1,665

1,021

-38.7%

Spain

504

924

83.3%

New Zealand

198

463

133.8%

Netherlands

18

423

2,250.0%

Germany

421

413

-1.9%

UAE

336

248

-26.2%

Turkey

290

217

-25.2%

Vietnam

1

138

13,700.0%

USA

208

117

-43.8%

Others

772

714

-7.5%

Total

6,886

8,692

26.2%

Almond Board of Australia; 01/03/2022-30/04/2022 *shelled and unshelled

New US estimates at the beginning of July

The price increases in the Spanish almond market were only short-lived; prices already fell again the following week. Spanish Valencias, 12/14 mm, natural are currently being offered again for EUR 4.45/kg FCA Spain and US almond prices are also back at the previous level in the European spot market at EUR 5.40/kg FCA Spain. The predicted crop decline in Spain could nevertheless cause some turbulence in the new season, but at the same time, according to current estimates, the US crop should still achieve a good result compared to the crops of the past five years. The objective estimate of the National Agricultural Statistics Service is to be published on 8 July. The good US export results of the past months at least helped to clear the high stocks, which makes market players more positive about the price formation for the coming crop.

Almonds

Type

EUR/kg

USD/kg

Valencia, 12/14 mm, natural, Spain

4.45

4.68

Valencia, +14 mm, natural, Spain

4.65

4.89

Largueta, 13/14 mm, natural, Spain

6.20

6.52

California, SSR, 23/25, blanched, USA

5.40

5.68

FCA Spain

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

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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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