Free of charge

Almonds: the nut with the highest relative growth potential

August 25, 2017 at 9:54 AM , Starry Night Ltd.
Play report as audio

The exclusive nut has always commanded a high premium. Cultivated acreages on a year-to-year basis increased by 72%.

SOFIA. The exclusive taste of the locally grown nut, indeed that of the organic almond, and the higher premium that it commands have shifted the focus of local farmers toward the cultivation of more almond orchards. Another strong reason is the fact that for years, local supply fails to meet local demand, and as a result the gap is filled by imported almonds, usually from the USA.

Almonds: focus is firmly on cultivating more acreages

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, in 2015 farmers harvested 574 ha of almond orchards while in 2016, almonds were collected from a total area of 987 ha; the difference is 72%. During season 2015-16, farmers collected 424 mt of the crop in shell while during season 2016-17, the estimate stood at 841 mt. On a year-to-year basis, the change stood at 98.3% in favor of the most recent season.

However, one should be careful with the latter figure since the previous season was a disaster – for all nuts throughout the country, with minor exceptions in some regions – and high quality kernels, those that really reached the local and/or foreign markets, according to substantially established local sellers, were small in quantities. Weights of in shell nuts differ from those of pure kernels, even more when the kernel has not been fully matured or is dried, etc. because of a weak season.

Anyhow, the return of investment in almond orchards is characterized by a long-term span horizon since on average, it takes five years before an almond tree could fully realize its harvest potential. The rest is a weather factor!

View related articles

Go to the News Overview
Nuts
Jun 23, 2025
NEW DELHI/HANOI. Low prices and sluggish demand have forced processors to close in India. With high US import tariffs prevailing for Vietnam, trading has shifted towards China. Demand for cashews is back on track in Europe.
Nuts
Jun 23, 2025
NEW DELHI. Suppliers in India are gearing up for buyers in China. For exporters the market is very competitive for peanuts.
Nuts
Jun 20, 2025
ORDU. By adopting a new approach in selling hazelnuts the TMO has prompted furious reactions. Quality concerns over the 2025 crop will shape the market.
Nuts
Jun 18, 2025
CANBERRA. Monthly almond shipments have reached a new record in Australia. The trade war with the USA has left its mark on China's purchases.