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Bulgarian almonds: the wind of change flew from the west, pushing down local prices

March 23, 2017 at 9:08 AM , Starry Night Ltd.
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Imports of Californian almonds pushed down local prices. Meager quantities left still support higher prices of domestically grown almonds

 Sudden change in market trends

SOFIA. Every year, the supply of locally grown almonds barely dents domestic demand. As a result, Californian almond has always been ubiquitously present on the market. Currently, imported USA almond is sold for 8,00USD/kg EXW Sofia. While a conventional almond variety nonpareil, locally grown, is sold for 8,45 EUR/kg EXW. The small local supply, which is spread unevenly throughout the country in too many small farmers of conventional varieties, and the delicious taste of the nut actually have always driven the price of locally grown almonds higher. However, since harvest 2016-17 was much weaker than the previous one, and competition from abroad fills in the market easily with lower prices, local prices had to respond. By the end of the month, sufficient quantities of locally grown almonds to export will be barely found. Yet, imported almonds could be easily exported!

The domestic market is way too broad for local farmers

The level of output of this type of nut has always been low. The almond cultivation has never been as widely spread as that of walnuts. According to the Bulgarian Ministry of Agriculture, for the years 2014 and 2015, total output of almonds stood at 438mt and 424mt, respectively. According to local farmers, harvest 2016-17 was worse than that of the previous year. Several years have to pass by before local farmers catch up with their foreign counterparts. Before that time comes, the Californian almond will rule the market.

Organic almonds, Bulgaria

Type

EUR/kg

in shell

4,90

natural kernels, Nonpareil

10,00

natural kernels, Asparuh

10,00

natural kernels, Primorski

10,00

natural kernels, Start

10,00

natural kernels, Nikitski

10,00

almond paste

18,20

roasted kernels

12,00

EXW Bulgaria

   

Conventional almonds, Bulgaria

Type

EUR/kg

in shell

3,20

natural kernels, Nonpareil

8,45

natural kernels, Asparuh

8,45

natural kernels, Primorski

8,45

natural kernels, Start

8,45

natural kernels, Nikitski

8,45

almond paste

14,80

roasted kernels

10,40

EXW Bulgaria

 

 

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