INDUSTRY NEWS
Pure economics drive Californian downsizing
CALIFORNIAN almond production looks to have peaked based on the latest planting data released by the Almond Board of California . The ABC ’ s latest LandIQ survey has confirmed that the total almond acreage dropped by 74,000 acres in 2023 . It is the second consecutive year that acreage in California has decreased , something that has not occurred since at least 1995 . LandIQ have also identified a further 40,000 acres that have either been mothballed or abandoned . The decline comes on the back of ongoing low returns and challenging growing conditions over the past four years . Retiring ABC CEO Richard Waycott has conceded that the analysis points to a lowering of bearing acreage in 2024 . Bearing acreage has increased slightly in the latest report but new plantings have certainly plummeted with anecdotal feedback during the recent Californian almond conference suggesting nurseries across the State have experienced a dramatic slowdown in tree orders . Until the slow in 2022 , the Californian growers were planting more almonds each year than the total Australian footprint such was the attraction . Drought , low prices and a drop in demand in many traditional markets has forced a rethink by many within the industry . Australia production is forecast to rebound 28 percent from last year ’ s poor crop to total 140,000 tons . A shortage of beehives in key producing regions due to quarantine measures related to Varroa mites was the primary factor for last year ’ s reduced yields , though flooding in the southern Murray Darling Basin and unfavourable weather throughout the growing season were also contributing factors . While last year ’ s exports were supplemented by nearly depleting carryover stocks from the previous harvest , additional output is expected to boost exports five percent to 100,000 tons . European Union production is forecast to rebound significantly with Spain , Italy , Portugal , Morocco and Turkiye producing more than 200,000 metric tonnes this season . New plantings in southern Portugal are expected to see production continue to increase as orchards mature , while Italy ’ s production has also grown on the back of strong demand for local manufacturers .
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