Almonds: heated debates on water
December 6, 2022 at 8:51 AM ,
Der AUDITOR
5% water allocation
Farmers responded with an immediate outcry to the initial allocation. As local media report the California Farm Bureau highlights that 23 million people are now confronted with another year of uncertainty and that California has failed to protect farms and people from water shortages. The Bureau emphasises that a much more coherent plan is required, which comprises food production, consumer prices and carbon reduction. California’s prolonged drought has certainly forced farmers to take tough decisions in recent years and the prospects for next year a far from encouraging.
Trouble is that the state has to take precautions for another dry and hot year. In so doing the Department of Water Resources issues the initial State Water Project allocation on 1 December every year, thereby taking available water storage, estimated water supply and demand into consideration. California has entered its wet season and normally receives half its rain and snow by the end of January. November was also rather dry and a fourth dry year with extreme drought conditions is looming on the horizon. The Department of Water Resources updates allocations monthly before setting a final allocation in May or June. While initial water allocations are usually low at this time of year as it is too early in the season for hydrologic forecasting, it should be noted that final water allocations were set at 5% in 2021 and 2022.
Price pressure in Spain
Farmers in Spain are facing similar problems. Although spring frosts, bad pollination and drought have taken their toll on this year’s almond production with suppliers even estimating that output may range up to 50% lower this year, prices are surprisingly low. According to the Umbrella Organisation of Farmers and Ranchers (COAG) farmgate prices for almonds range around 2-5% lower than last year for the main varieties. Trouble is that Spain imported large volumes of around 120,000 mt in 2021/22, mainly form the United States.
The US almond industry is also coming to terms with this year’s export performance. At 215 million pounds (97,522 mt) monthly shipments exceeded initial expectations of 200 million pounds (90,718 mt) in October as the monthly position report issued by the Almond Board of California shows. As shipments and sales for the season are only hovering at 38% of total supplies, whereas the five-year moving average ranges at 47%, there is a potential for further price reductions throughout the current season. The prices for US almonds have, however, risen in Spain this week, whereas the prices for Spanish varieties remain fixed for most varieties.
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Almonds |
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Type |
EUR/kg |
USD/kg |
|
Valencia, 12/14 mm, natural, Spain |
4.35 |
4.58 |
|
Valencia, +14 mm, natural, Spain |
5.00 |
5.27 |
|
Nonpareil, extra no 1, 23/25, natural, USA |
6.20 |
6.53 |
|
Carmel, SSR, 18/20, blanched, USA |
5.70 |
6.01 |
|
California, SSR, 23/25, blanched, USA |
5.65 |
5.95 |
|
FCA Spain |
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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
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