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Almonds: US shipments set new monthly record

April 15, 2020 at 11:38 AM , Der AUDITOR
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MADRID/SACRAMENTO. In March, US almond shipments reached a new monthly record of around 94,449 metric tonnes, which is a plus...

... of 13% compared to March 2019. Although the export volume rose by only 3%, the current situation has boosted domestic demand by 31% to 36,137 metric tonnes. Important European buyer countries such as Spain (-13% to 7,385 metric tonnes), Germany (-9% to 4,833 metric tonnes) and Italy (-5% to 2,672 metric tonnes) reduced imports compared to last year, while shipments to Turkey (+105% to 2,254 metric tonnes) and India (+19% to 6,820 metric tonnes) increased significantly. However, the curfew in India and the associated import problems could be reflected in the April figures. Since the start of the season, a total of 762,864 metric tonnes of US almonds have been shipped both domestically and overseas, with the export volume of 530,285 metric tonnes being around 6% higher than last year.

US almond shipments

Destination

2019/20

2018/19

Diff.

USA

232,580

221,047

5%

North and South America

35,203

30,377

16%

Asia/Oceania

195,222

212,077

-8%

Europe

204,231

187,662

9%

Africa/Middle East

95,629

69,561

37%

Total

762,864

720,724

6%

ABC; results since the beginning of the season

US supplies are shrinking faster

With a 2019 crop of around 1.15 million metric tonnes, a total of 1.27 million metric tonnes of US almonds were available for the current season. High March sales figures, however, reduced the freely available stocks on the market to 255,871 metric tonnes, as a result of which the year-on-year difference shrank from 10% to 7%. Although good weather conditions in March and early April continue to give hope for a good 2020 crop, the current situation makes it difficult to forecast demand and prices for the rest of the season.

Good development in Spain

As reported by Spanish agricultural media, the Spanish almond crop is developing well. In regions with sufficient rainfall, the plantations are up to 20 days ahead of their usual level of development at this time of year. For fear of unexpected weather conditions in the coming days, however, experts are holding back on crop forecasts. Especially in the higher altitudes, night frost can still occur until the end of April.

Prices maintain downward trend

Spanish traders have again reduced prices for Spanish Valencias and Marconas this week by EUR 0.05-0.10 per kg and US almonds are also trading lower in the European spot market. Prices for whole US almonds have declined by as much as EUR 0.10 per kg, and preparations are even being offered at around EUR 0.15 per kg cheaper than last week.

Almonds

Type

EUR/kg

Valencia, 12/14 mm, natural, Spain

5.55

Largueta, 13/14 mm, natural, Spain

6.90

Marcona, 12/14 mm, natural, Spain

6.90

California, SSR, 23/25, blanched, USA

6.40

Carmel, SSR, 20/22, natural, USA

5.80

Almonds, diced, USA

5.90

Almond meal, blanched, USA

5.70

EXW Spain

View more information
price chart, almonds. natural. 18/20, Valencia
price chart, almonds, natural 27/30, Largueta
price chart, almonds, blanched, 27/30, California SSRmore price charts

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price chart almonds, blanched, 18-20, Valencia
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price chart almonds, blanched, California SSR, 27-30

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