Free of charge

Almonds: prices are a disaster

May 24, 2024 at 1:13 PM , Der AUDITOR
Play report as audio

MADRID. Exports have picked up for almonds in Spain. Crop estimates for 2024/2025 have emerged. Prices are a troublesome matter.

Disappointing March

While exports were lagging on last year right rough until January, February changed the picture. Monthly exports, in fact, soared by 19% to 12,409 mt as compared with February 2023. In contrast to this, monthly exports were rather disappointing in March as they ranged 5% lower at 11,194 mt as compared with March 2024. Total exports have flatlined on last year at 97,703 mt.

Shipments to Spain’s top export destination France range a bit higher than last year, whereas the export volume to Germany has dipped by 8%. Exports to Italy are also relatively flat. Contrary to this, Portugal has increased imports from Spain by 18%, a sharp rise in shipments of 31% has also been recorded to the Netherlands. Yet, shipment to all other destinations in amongst Spain’s top ten have declined, most notably by 26% in Turkey.

Almond exports, Spain (mt)

Destination

2022/23

2023/24

Diff

France

22,933

23,103

0.7%

Germany

20,498

18,842

-8.1%

Italy

16,470

16,531

0.4%

Portugal

3,472

4,096

18.0%

UK

3,879

3,445

-11.2%

Netherlands

2,652

3,428

31.3%

Poland

3,329

3,181

-4.5%

Belgium

3,028

2,629

-13.2%

Switzerland

1,829

1,749

-4.4%

Turkey

2,229

1,648

-26.1%

Others

17,030

19,051

11.9%

Total

97,349

97,703

0.3%

Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade, Spain, 01/08-31/03

New estimates and disastrous prices

Helped along by new bearing trees and spring rains the 2024 crop estimate presented at the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council Congress in Vancouver is highly encouraging and stands at 130,000 mt for Spain. Yet, the extreme drought and excessive heat witnessed in spring and summer last year have prompted the INC to revise the estimate for the 2023 crop downwards to below 100,000 mt. Some producers even state that the crop only reached 80,000 mt at the very most.

Despite this sharp decline in production and demand remaining high, prices are too low. Valencia almonds size 12/14 have been trading at around EUR 4.00/kg (USD 4.34/kg) EXW Spain in the past few weeks. For many almond farmers the current prices are a disaster as they fail to cover production costs. Even suppliers state that prices should range 30% higher for better returns. Trouble, however, is that sellers need to compete internationally. Although US almonds have recently gained some ground due to demand being high, they are still trading at comparatively low levels with standard 5% almonds recently quoted at around EUR 3.80/kg (USD 4.12/kg).

 

View more
price chart, almonds. Mamra, Iran
price chart, almonds, natural 13/14, Largueta
price chart, almonds, blanched, 27/30, California SSR
more price charts 

View related articles

Go to the News Overview
Nuts
Apr 29, 2025
SACRAMENTO. Land IQ has issued a rather upbeat initial acreage estimate for California’s 2025 almond crop. Growers are, however, voicing concerns.
Nuts
Apr 28, 2025
HANOI. Despite the import taxes on Vietnamese cashews, the USA remains the most important buyer, accounting for 22.7% of total exports. Vinacas reckons that this will remain the case in 2025.
Nuts
Apr 28, 2025
TORREÓN/REUS. Imports from Mexico may be exempt from Trump’s tariffs but US exporters are losing out in China. Demand is high. South Africa is gaining market shares.
Nuts
Apr 25, 2025
ORDU. Initial estimates circulating about the extent of the frost damage for the 2025 crop are highly discouraging. The TMO has stopped selling hazelnuts and buyers are responding differently to the current market situation.