Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormShelled (Kernel), Dried
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Market
Shelled almonds in Italy are a large import-driven commodity input for food manufacturing and retail packing, alongside smaller domestic production in southern regions. UN Comtrade data accessed via WITS shows Italy imported about USD 304.7 million (66.7 million kg) of shelled almonds (HS 080212) in 2023, with the United States and Spain as the dominant origins by value. Market access and quality acceptance are heavily shaped by EU contaminant limits for aflatoxins and related official control regimes. Climate volatility in key Italian growing areas can constrain local supply, reinforcing reliance on imports.
Market RoleNet importer and processing/consumption market
Domestic RoleDomestic production exists (notably in southern Italy) but is supplemented by substantial imports for industrial use and retail.
Risks
Food Safety HighAflatoxin contamination is a primary deal-breaker risk for shelled almonds marketed in Italy/EU; non-compliant lots can be rejected at the border or withdrawn/recall-notified via EU alert systems.Use accredited pre-shipment sampling and analysis against EU maximum levels; implement strict moisture control in storage/transport; for U.S.-origin product, ensure certificates and lab reports comply with Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/949.
Regulatory Compliance MediumConsignments can face delays or rejection if documentary/identity requirements tied to EU official controls (including TRACES/CHED workflows where applicable) are incomplete or inconsistent.Run a shipment-by-shipment compliance checklist for origin-specific measures and ensure consistent lot coding across all documents before dispatch.
Climate MediumLate frosts and drought in southern Italy can sharply reduce local almond yields (e.g., reported severe production impacts in Puglia), tightening availability for buyers seeking Italian-origin kernels and increasing import dependence.Diversify approved supply across origins and maintain dual sourcing (domestic premium + imported commodity kernels) for continuity.
Labor And Social MediumItaly has documented challenges with unlawful recruitment and labour exploitation in parts of the agricultural sector (caporalato), creating legal and reputational exposure for agricultural sourcing without robust social compliance controls.Apply supplier social-audit requirements and verify labor contracting practices, especially where third-party labor intermediaries are used.
Logistics MediumItaly’s large reliance on imported shelled almonds exposes buyers to ocean freight and inland transport cost volatility and occasional route disruptions, affecting landed cost and lead time.Use forward freight planning, buffer inventory for key SKUs, and contract flexibility across multiple origins (e.g., U.S. and Spain).
Sustainability- Water stewardship and irrigation efficiency in southern Italian almond orchards (drought and resource constraints).
- Climate volatility (late frosts, drought) impacting yields in key producing areas and increasing reliance on imports.
Labor & Social- Labor exploitation risk in parts of Italy’s agricultural sector (caporalato/illegal recruitment); due diligence on labor brokers and subcontractors is relevant for agricultural supply chains.
FAQ
Where does Italy mainly source shelled almonds from?UN Comtrade data accessed via WITS for HS 080212 indicates that in 2023 Italy’s largest sources by import value were the United States and Spain, with smaller shares coming via EU trading hubs such as the Netherlands and Germany.
What is the most critical compliance risk for selling shelled almonds in Italy?Aflatoxin compliance is the key deal-breaker: EU rules set maximum levels for contaminants (including aflatoxins) in food, and non-compliant lots can be rejected or withdrawn. This is reinforced by EU official control systems and notifications such as RASFF.
Are there special documentation requirements for U.S.-origin almonds entering Italy?Yes. The EU has an approved pre-export check regime for aflatoxins in almonds from the United States: Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/949 requires consignments to be accompanied by an official certificate and a sampling/analysis report from an approved laboratory, with consistent identification codes.