Almond Report: Spain 2023

Spain's almond industry is undergoing modernization, adopting advanced production techniques, high-yield varieties, and sophisticated water management practices. Consequently, by 2032, almond production is projected to exceed 200,000 mt, marking a significant rise from the 128,419 mt anticipated for 2023.

The Spanish almond industry is highly susceptible to the effects of climate change. Warmer winters lead to earlier flowering of almond trees, rendering them more vulnerable to frost damage. Over 80% of almond production areas in Spain rely on dryland farming, making them particularly susceptible to water shortages and extreme temperatures.

Spain is the world leader in organic almond production, with organic production expected to reach 19,982 mt in 2023, 16% of total production. Almendrave and Portugal’s CNCFS aims to promote and expand organic production. The demand for organically produced almonds is expected to increase, despite prices being nearly double that of conventional almonds.

Spain is a leading consumer of almonds, with an intake surpassing 2kg per person annually. However, economic factors and poor production temporarily reduced domestic consumption in 2022. Despite these short-term setbacks, the long-term outlook for almond consumption in Spain remains positive.

Spain exports over 100,000 mt of almonds each year, with more than 90% going to European countries. Given the anticipated growth in production, Spain is seeking to diversify its export destinations. A unique selling point of Spanish almonds will be their unique flavors and attributes. A newly inked agreement with China paves the way for expanding almond exports to the Chinese market.