For the first time spatial mapping has been used to identify every almond orchard in Australia.
The new planting data features in the Almond Board of Australia’s annual Almond Insights 2022-23 e-publication.
Insights is a flagship output of the ABA’s Industry Statistical and Data Collection project with Hort Innovation and provides a comprehensive overview of metrics of one of the highest valued horticultural crops in Australia.
The new edition contains new information and features and will be updated throughout the season and become a living resource for a wide range of industry stakeholders.
The mapping work, carried out by globally-recognised ag-specialists LandIQ from California is a new feature in the publication.
“This is the first time that annual grower planting survey results have been ground-truthed by spatial mapping,” Almond Board of Australia chief executive officer Tim Jackson said.
“We now know the age profile of every orchard and where they are located.”
The data also confirmed that the rate of plantings have continued decline and that there was increased commitment to self-fertile varieties due to ongoing concerns around bee availability and pollination costs.
Almost a quarter of Australia’s almond plantings are now in the Riverina region of New South Wales, making it the second largest production region.
Sunraysia remains the largest region, with 34,898 hectares.
Total industry plantings have expanded to 62,412 hectares, but the rate of new plantings has slowed in recent years.
Only 1,605 hectares were planted in 2022, while the figure was only slightly higher at 1,695 in 2021.
The variety being planted is also changing.
Nonpareil now accounts for only 48% of Australia’s almond plantings, with 27,391 hectares planted in the past decade.
Varieties like Carmel and to a smaller extent Monterey and Price are gaining in popularity.
The Insights data also contained an update on industry sales data, with Australian almonds being exported to more than 50 countries.
China was a key market, buying 50,848 tonnes in 2022-23, which was 44% higher than the previous year.
“Free trade agreements negotiated by the Federal Government have played significant role in export gains and the growth of sales in China is testament to the value of zero tariff agreements,” Mr Jackson said.
Spain purchased 8,642 tonnes, which was a 63% increase on the 2021-2020 year.
Turkiye’s appetite for Australian almonds grew by 282% to 6,052 tonnes.
“Value adding industries in Spain and Turkiye took advantage of the increased availability of manufacturing grade inventory,” Mr Jackson said.
For further information contact Almond Board of Australia’s Communications Manager Kellie Hollingworth on 0409 393 403 or email khollingworth@australianalmonds.com