Boomer season continues
China and India demand continues to drive Australian almonds sales to new heights six months into the 2024-25 selling season.
The Almond Board of Australia’s August Position Report has confirmed that global demand for Australian almonds remains strong despite increased pricing.
Record volumes for August mark the third consecutive all time monthly best for the industry and the fourth out of six as processors and marketers clear stock at an unprecedented speed.
Exports into China are 93% up on the same time last year, while after a slow start, Indian volumes are almost back on par with last year’s record season. This further confirms the value of Australia-India Economic Co-operative Trade Agreement which reduced almond tariffs by 50% on January 1, last year.
It is clear from the figures that the dry season has led to higher quality pack-outs as the volumes into recycling and manufacturing grade strongholds like Turkiye, Spain and the US are well down on the previous season when poor weather during harvest impacted nut quality and grower returns.
Domestic sales remain flat and 1% behind last year’s levels.
Overall, exports season-to-date are up 21% and the total sales volume of 88,090 kernel weight equivalent tonnes is just over 17% ahead of the previous best first half to a selling season.
Inshell sales continue at record levels with more than 47,000 tonnes shipped, compared to just over 27,000 for the same period last year.
Meanwhile almond growers are counting the costs of various frost events across the growing regions.
ABA CEO Tim Jackson said a grower survey next week will be used to assess the impact on the 2025-26 crop potential.
“We are now starting to receive reports that late September frosts have hurt growers in many districts as the damage becomes more evident and the affected trees begin to shed their crop,” he said. “We will be reaching out to all growers to assist us in compiling just how extensive the damage has been.”