In W39 in the almond landscape, the almond harvest has begun in the Northern Hemisphere, with varying conditions in the top-producing countries. In the United States (US), the harvest is progressing slower than usual, and there are early concerns about greater insect damage and mold presence, especially in the southern regions. Meanwhile, Spain, the second-largest producer, is experiencing an earlier-than-expected harvest due to a scorching summer. However, this has negatively impacted nut fill, resulting in significantly lower yields than initially anticipated. Quality issues are emerging in both nations' almond crops.
Furthermore, Placer County, California , faced several challenges affecting agricultural production, resulting in a drop in crop values. Adverse weather conditions, including frost damage in 2022, led to a 50% reduction in almond production in the region. Lower market prices for almonds and walnuts contributed to a 12% decline in the gross value of crops and products for 2023. In 2023, weather-related issues persisted due to historic rainfall, resulting in waterlogged soil and tree losses.
The Spanish agricultural organizations, the Association of Young Farmers (ASAJA) and Small Farmers and Ranchers Union (UPA), have raised concerns over what they perceive as unjustifiably low prices in the almond sector. They express suspicions of interests favoring intensively irrigated almond farming, often controlled by large landowners and investment funds, over dryland family farms. Both organizations refute several justifications given for the low almond prices: ASAJA disputes claims that the almond harvest in California is at its most abundant in recent years and that surplus Californian almonds are being exported at low prices. They also reject the notion that a significant quantity of American almonds entered Spain in the past year or that American almond imports significantly increased in August.
The UPA denounces what they see as a coordinated effort to replace almond trees on family farms in Spain with intensively irrigated crops, often owned by large landowners, and the substantial importation of almonds from California. They highlight that the area dedicated to irrigated almond farming has grown tenfold in the last decade, a production model supported by large landowners and investment funds enticed by the presumed profitability of almonds.
Lastly, in southern Spain, the price of conventional almonds has increased by USD 0.5 per kilogram (kg), reaching USD 3.15/kg (EUR 3/kg) at the Córdoba Market for most monovarietal late flowering almond varieties, including Soleta, Belona, Guara, Antoñeta, Constantí, and traditional Comuna. On the other hand, organic almonds have maintained their price from the previous week at USD 5.25/kg (EUR 5/kg). Quality is quoted based on a 20/60/20 caliber, with 20% measuring less than 12 millimeter, 60% falling within the 12 to 14 mm range, and 20% exceeding 14 mm.