W12 Almond Update: Chile and China Reached Agreement to Export Chilean Almond to China, SAB-Almendrave Reassures Consumers of Commitment to Food Safety Amid Salmonella Alerts in Denmark and Germany

Published 2024년 3월 30일

In W12 in the almond landscape, Chile and China signed an agreement to allow Chile to export almonds to China. This agreement is expected to boost Chile’s almond industry and to have a good impact on its economy. In addition, in response to Salmonella alerts in Denmark and Germany concerning Spanish-origin laminated almonds, the SAB-Almendrave swiftly reassured consumers of their commitment to food safety, emphasizing that none of their affiliated companies were involved and internal quality control measures successfully intercepted the issue.

Chile Signs Agreement to Export in-shell Almonds to China

The Chilean Agriculture Minister and China's Deputy Director of the General Administration of Customs signed a protocol that allows Chile to export in-shell almonds to China in Mar-24. This protocol follows Chile’s previous agreement to export fresh peaches and apricots to China, making it the first country to export all categories of fresh fruits and nuts to China.

Chile’s almond cultivation was 8.72 thousand hectares (ha) in 2023, mainly distributed in the O'Higgins and Metropolitan regions in central Chile. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Chile’s almond production in the 2023/24 season is forecasted to reach 11.4 thousand metric tons (mt), increasing by 0.88% year-on-year (YoY). The exports are projected to reach 8.3 thousand mt, increased by 0.6% YoY compared to the 2022/23 season. The major export markets for Chilean almonds are mainly neighboring countries such as Argentina, Ecuador, and Russia. After signing the agreement with China, the Chinese market is expected to boost the export of Chilean almonds significantly.

SAB-Almendrave Reassure Consumers of Commitment to Food Safety Amid Salmonella Alerts

The recent Salmonella alerts in Denmark and Germany have raised consumer concerns regarding the safety of almonds and hazelnuts exported from Spain. In response, the Group of Almond and Hazelnut Exporters of Spain (SAB-Almendrave) has swiftly reassured consumers of its unwavering commitment to food safety and public health. Issued via the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), the alerts highlighted the presence of Salmonella spp in Spanish-origin laminated almonds. However, SAB-Almendrave has emphasized that none of its affiliated companies were involved in the incidents. The group has also expressed satisfaction that its internal quality control measures successfully intercepted the issue, ensuring that no contaminated almonds could reach consumers. This underscores SAB-Almendrave's proactive approach and dedication to upholding the industry's highest food safety standards.