An orchard in the Riverina in flood . Floodwaters are causing headaches for growers , with the impacts of the Murray Darling Basin high flows expected to be felt for months to come .
for a better assessment of damage . Low lying areas of orchards that have been inundated for 4-5 days have already started experiencing tree deaths , while the onset of root-borne diseases will not be evident for awhile longer . The ABA has commissioned renowned almond spatial mapping service LandIQ to conduct an allof-industry study and the first set of results due early in the New Year will assist greatly in quantifying losses and flood damage . Add these challenges with the impact of reduced beehive stocking rates in Victoria and SA , and there is a lot to play out before a realistic crop estimate can be calculated . In general commentary to date , the ABA has signalled that the influences cited above create a strong possibility that the 2023 crop potential could be well below previous expectations and be more in line with the past two years . Based on plantings , the ages of orchards and normal growing conditions , the 2023 crop was forecast to be as high as 160,000 tonnes kernel weight equivalent but that seems to be a very optimistic number under the current circumstances .
Budwood harvest
The ABA budwood cutting season has started slowly . Across our three budwood sites , the lignifying of new growth on all varieties is taking much longer than an average year . This will delay the supply of budwood to nurseries for new tree production . We have assembled a team of budwood cutters under the guidance
of Melissa MacFarlane , but the prevailing mild weather has produced less than optimal growing conditions so the volume of budwood material available has been limited at best . Nurseries should be communicating with their customers about the issues and adjusting delivery date expectations . Everyone can be assured that the ABA budwood team is geared up to cut the budwood as soon as it meets the high quality standards expected . If representatives of nurseries wish to visit with customers to inspect the budwood , please contact us at the ABA to arrange a suitable time .
2021 / 22 ALmond Insights released
The ABA has published its annual statistical journal outlining the position of the industry on all manner of measures . Plantings have increased to more than 60,000ha , making it the largest permanent planted horticultural crop in the Murray Darling Basin .
Global market
Global almond prices remain soft . An over-supply due to the logistics congestion has resulted in ongoing missed opportunities so clearing warehouses and getting the supplydemand balance back on an even keel remains a work in progress for the industry , especially the Californians . Australian export sales are up on last year , but this is being tempered by a reduction in domestic demand . Geo-political tensions and conflicts are creating challenging conditions for growers and marketers on a range of fronts , but one of the biggest frustrations is the prices of almonds on retail shelves in many countries . Despite wholesale pricing declining by more than 30 % over the past 18 months , we are not seeing these savings being passed on to the consumer by many retail sectors in the western world . Many appear to be pocketing the extra margin that has come from low commodity pricing and holding shelf prices at similar levels to what prevailed before the market slumped . Domestic sales in Australia and the USA have followed similar trends . It is counter-intuitive for an industry to be calling for lower prices in these times of increasing costs , but that is the situation the almond industry has been dealing with for some time . We know through consumer research that the health benefits of almonds appeal to a broader base of consumers than what is currently regularly purchasing the product . There is also growing evidence globally to suggest that economic conditions are resulting in more consumers shying away from premium products like almonds . The disappointment for growers is that current prices on the shelf do not reflect the reality of the returns at farmgate and that a happy medium on retail pricing needs to be achieved to increase demand and lower inventory levels .
industry . australianalmonds . com . au
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