THE new almond selling season is only just beginning, but it’s off to a great start after two successful overseas trade missions.
Sales estimated at more than $100 million were made by almond marketers at MEWA in India and Gulfood in the United Arab Emirates in February.
Select Harvests, ofi, Murray Downs Almonds, Almondco and Nut Producers Australia united under the Australian Almonds banner for these two key trade shows.
Our trade booths at both events were flat-out with existing and potential customers stopping by to meet with marketers.
In 2024, Australian Almond sales to India set a new volumetric record of just under 28,000 tonnes.
This is a direct result of a trade agreement which offers a 50 per cent duty reduction on the first 34,000 tonnes imported from Australia.
The 2024 record sales further highlight the need for upcoming trade negotiations to include lifting the existing tariff quota to at least 70,000 tonnes.
However, all eyes are on the US and speculation the Americans and India may do a trade deal on agri-food commodities including almonds in the not too distant future.
Gulfood is the world’s largest food and beverage expo and this year it celebrated its 30th year.
Almost 100,000 people from 195 countries flock to this event, making their way around 5000 stalls.
Now our marketing team is back in Australia, its focus has shifted to hosting almond buyers from key international markets.
A delegation from India will arrive in Australia later this month to visit processors and while they are here, the Almond Ashes, a friendly cricket game will be played in Mildura.
This is the sixth year this valuable relationship building exercise has occurred. The match is usually played in Dubai the day before Gulfood and this will be the first time it’s been played in Australia.
A love of cricket is one of the things that unites both Indians and Australians.
In April we will also welcome a group of almond buyers from China, who will also be visiting to see the almond harvest and processors.
News China has imposed an extra 10 per cent tariff on California almonds will drive further interest in Australian almonds from buyers in this market.
Australia has become China’s number one almond source despite being only 10 per cent of world production. Combined, China and India are our largest export markets, making up 69 per cent of total exports.
Processors will finish the 2024-25 season with one of the lowest carry-outs in history as they clear warehouses of all inventories at attractive pricing.
Against a marketable crop (including carry-in) January’s figures push the net sold position to 94.5 per cent with a month of figures to be delivered.
It is the highest net sold position in the past 10 years.
Total volume sold for the 2024-25 season is 163,444 tonnes, up 30 per cent on the same time last year, with exports up 32 per cent, with China, India, Europe and Middle East leading the way.
We are well into harvest now and this year 155,531 tonnes are expected to be produced nationally, which is a similar intake to last year.
