AUSTRALIAN almonds have experienced a boom during the 2024-25 selling season with volumes up 29 per cent to an unprecedented 169,541 tonnes (kernel weight equivalent).
This represents an estimated sales value in excess of $1 billion.
Domestic sales have emerged from the doldrums, returning to pre-COVID levels, while a 35 per cent increase in exports has driven the record figures for the March-February selling year.
Exports to China are up 128 per cent and for the first time Australian almonds held the biggest market share despite being only 10 per cent of world supply.
The Australian-China free trade agreement, which came into play in 2017, and ongoing trade friction between US and China continues to prompt Chinese buyers to identify Australian almonds as an appealing alternate source to Californian almonds.
Industry inshell exports increased to 79,696 tonnes, well ahead of the previous biggest annual total of 50,673 tonnes.
More than 98 per cent of this volume was shipped to China and India.
The industry’s diversification strategy also appears to be bearing fruit in Southeast Asia with pleasing increases in volumes into targeted markets such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.
The total volume sold exceeded the 2024 crop intake (153,550) which indicates processors took the opportunity to clear a lot of older inventory into key manufacturing markets including Turkiye (up 12 per cent and now a significant market to lower grade material).
With the 2025 harvest almost finished, the crop has begun being hulled and shelled.
Growers have been blessed with good weather during the harvest, and this should result in solid volumes of inshell almonds being available for China and India.
In February, the ABA announced 155,531 tonnes (kernel weight equivalent) of almonds was expected to be produced in 2025.
This figure was calculated from grower estimates.
Chances for upskilling coming up:
With almond trees about to enter their dormant period, this is an opportune time for the ABA to run a series of workshops to help growers improve their skills.
Earlier this month the gates to the Almond Centre of Excellence were opened, giving growers and other industry members the chance to meet researchers who are doing trials at the site.
Internationally recognised almond breeder, José Rubio Cabetas from CITA Zaragoza, is currently on sabbatical in Australia and provided insights into Spain’s approach to breeding and how it compares to the Australian program.
This week Agriculture Victoria provided an update about the Integrated Pest Management project.
Growers had the opportunity to bring along any insects or photos of insects they’d have found in their almond orchard for identification.
During winter the ABA is also holding nutrition and irrigation workshops.
The nutrition workshops aim to equip growers with the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to optimise nutrient management practices.
Haifa and Stoller are once again supporting these sessions.
In addition, internationally renowned Professor Patrick Brown will present on the role of bio stimulants in almond nutrition and Dan Rooney will introduce LandScan, a new product enhancing on-farm decision-making.
The irrigation workshop series is again being supported by Agriculture Victoria and Netafim and will include the following sessions:
Almond skills irrigation workshop.
Soil moisture monitoring workshop.
Irrigation system drainage workshop.
Growers who are interested in attending these events are asked to register their interest via www.surveymonkey.com/r/2025EOIASW
