A dry season and high demand in China are driving sales at a rate that exceeds the industry’s annual sales volumes of 10 years ago
The latest Almond Board of Australia marketing data shows that Australian almond sales volumes for July were the highest monthly figures on record. In July, exports were up 35 per cent compared to last year’s, and the season is 19 per cent ahead after five months of selling. The 22,450 tonnes sold was 28 per cent higher than the previous record for sales volumes in July 2017. After five months, export sales volumes reached 60,803 tonnes, with total sales just under 71,000.
A dry season and high demand in China are driving sales at a rate that exceeds the industry’s annual sales volumes of 10 years ago. The growth is particularly driven by China in shell sales, with more than 27,000 tonnes shipped so far this season compared to just over 12,000 for the same period last season. Overall, China’s exports are up 105 per cent and represent over 55 per cent of all exports due to the free trade agreement providing favourable pricing.
Domestic sales volumes also strengthened, up 22 per cent in July 2023 and up 1 per cent over the season, which is a positive trend given the previous 18 months’ decline in domestic sales.
Additionally, the Almond Board of Australia revised its pre-season estimate of 164,700 tonnes for the 2024-25 crop to 153,550 tonnes as hulling and shelling end. According to ABA CEO Tim Jackson, lower-yielding older trees are the major factor in this adjustment.
