MARKET DEVELOPMENT
Global Context
The global context for almond marketing in 2021-22 was significantly influenced by the continued high level of supply available from California and the ongoing logistical problems relating to freight accessibility and cost . While the Californian crop receipts for their 2021-22 year were down by 6 % to 2.92 billion pounds , due to their higher Carry-in inventory of 608 million pounds , their total available supply for the year was steady at 3.47 billion pounds . This is only 0.7 % less than the previous year ’ s Californian supply of 3.49 billion pounds . However , the larger negative results in Californian almond shipments indicate the impacts of freight and their flow-on impacts on customer sentiment . Californian domestic shipments for 2021- 22 were down by 5 % and their export shipments were down by 11 %.
The Australian almond industry ’ s 2021 crop production was 124,499 tonnes : 56 % of this crop was Nonpareil and 35 % was Carmel . For the first time , the Price and Monterey varieties each contributed 10 % of production . This is due to the increased plantings of Monterey over the past five years . Note , the 2021 crop was 9 % higher than the 114,427 tonnes .
Australian almond shipments for 2021-22 produced record export sales of 86,87 3 tonnes . This represents growth of 13 % above the previous year . Domestic shipments for the year were 29,428 tonnes which is a decrease of 5 % on the previous year ’ s total of 31,103 tonnes .
Versatility of Use Remains a Key Driver of Consumption
Almonds continue to be the most frequently used nut ingredient in new products launched in the Australian market . During the 2021-22 financial year , 291 new products were launched in the Australian retail market compared to 155 new products with cashews as an ingredient and 191 new products with peanuts as an ingredient . Given the significant cost difference between almonds and peanuts , food manufacturers understand the positive contribution of almonds to their product ’ s consumer perception .
Nut type Almonds Cashews Hazelnut Macadamia Walnut Pistachio Peanuts
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2021 / 22 ABA ANNUAL REPORT
Products 291 155 112 43 37 18 191
Dairy Alternative Category Dairy Alternative Drinks Non-Dairy Ice Cream & Frozen Yoghurt Cheese - Non-Dairy Spoonable Non-Dairy Yoghurt Total Dairy Alternative Category
In terms of the key categories of products launched last year , the most important was the Snack Bar segment representing 22 % of the new products with almonds as an ingredient : 55 new cereal and energy bars and 8 new sports bars . The Dairy- Alternative category continues to drive new product development for almonds with 22 new products .
Export Market Development
The major activities with the Australian Almonds 2021-22 export marketing program reflected the impact of COVID . The July to December period was characterised by covid travel restrictions . Marketing programs were digital including customer webinars for the Indian and Thai markets supported by virtual trade exhibitions . Video presentations were also provided for the China Tree Nut Conference in October 2021 . The re-emergence of international travel in 2022 allowed for the return of in-person export trade missions in the February to June period .
The in-person trade missions provided deeper insights into important market trends within the Australian almond industry ’ s key export markets . The first Australian almond exhibition after the covid restrictions was Gulfood in Dubai which ran from February 13 to 18 , 2022 .
The Middle East region is a key Established Market for the Australian almond industry . For our 201-22 marketing year , 5,270 tonnes of Australian almonds ( KWE ) were exported to the Middle East . This represents an increase of 21 % over the same period
Products 18 2 1 1 22 last year . The two largest markets in this region for the Australian almond industry are the UAE which purchased 2,741 tonnes (+ 19 %) and Turkey with sales of 1,584 tonnes (+ 3 %) of Australian almonds . New markets within the Middle East that grew during 2021-22 were Kuwait , Qatar and Saudi Arabia . An important insight gained during the 2022 Gulfood exhibition was an understanding around the growth intentions of the Saudi market particularly in relation to sourcing directly .
During May , two major Export Market Development programs were delivered : namely , an Australian Almond industry exhibition and Networking Event at the INC Congress in Dubai and our first Australian Almond exhibition at the Thaifex Trade Fair in Bangkok .
International Nut Council ’ s Annual Congress
An Australian Almond Industry Update and Networking Event for key Indian customers was conducted on May 10 , the eve of the 2022 International Nut and Dried Fruit ( INC ) Congress which ran from May 11 to 13 in Dubai .
This event was necessary as Covid travel restrictions prevented an Australian almond trade mission to Delhi in November 2021 . More than 50 major Indian customers attended our Australian Almond Industry Update which was held at the Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates in Dubai . The CEO of the ABA , Tim Jackson , presented an overview of the 2022 Australian almond crop and a summary of key export issues including freight .
The Australian almond industry mission to the 2022 INC Congress also featured a trade exhibition in which the new industry communication platforms were promoted . These included the new global export website ( australianalmonds . com ).
Thaifex Trade Fair in Bangkok
The principal feature of the Trade Mission to Thailand in May 2022 was the Australian almond industry exhibition in the Thaifex-Anuga Asia Food Fair . This exhibition ran from May 24 to 28 . Thailand is a focus growth country within South-East Asia along with Indonesia and Malaysia .