FROM THE EXECUTIVE new varieties in one patch while also being given an insight into a comprehensive on-farm drying set-up . There will also be a look at various bee-hive technologies in action , the recycling of hull and shell and autonomous farm equipment . It is a rare opportunity to be granted access to these properties and not to be missed by anyone committed to continual improvement . Registrations for the ABA ’ s Stoller R and D Forum will open soon so keep an eye out in your inbox and the ABA website . The chance to mingle with so many of the industry provides a networking environment that fosters problem solving and peer to peer education . A number of presentations have been arranged and the program is almost finalised and will be focused on helping growers maximise a return in these tough times .
Almond market update
For the first time , this edition of In the Nutshell will feature a full page global report from the only independent almond market pricing report . Stratamarkets was established by Texas based journalist Michael Easterbrook and has become a reliable guide to world pricing for many throughout the supply chain . The news following the Californian Almond Crop Subjective Estimate has not been great for growers . Prices have softened again despite ongoing concerns that the 2.5 billion pounds was a little on the high side . On June 16 , United States Department of Agriculture rescheduled the release of the 2023 California Almond Crop Objective Estimate . The new date for the release is Wednesday , July 12 . There has been some industry speculation regarding the delay in releasing the Objective Estimate . It is believed that the outcome of the estimate could be considerably lower than the Subjective Almond Estimate of 2.5 billion pounds . This speculation is not a major surprise , as most industry forecasts were projecting lower than the Subjective Estimate . The challenging growing conditions being experienced by the 2023 Californian almond crop are similar to the most recent Australian crop , which was close to 30 % lower than initial industry forecasts . The low bee flight hours , significant rainfall , some incidents of orchard flooding , and cooler temperatures have all contributed to the
Australian forecast shortfall .
New marketing program locked in
A new funding agreement delivered through Hort Innovation and led by the Almond Board of Australia will take the industry ’ s marketing activities to a new level over the next three years . The $ 7 million program aims to increase almond exports by at least 50,000 tonnes by 2026 and push export sales beyond $ 1 billion . Hort Innovation chief executive officer Brett Fifield said this investment represents the almond industry ’ s strongest international presence yet . “ Trade development programs are a key tool to grow demand for Australian produce in international markets ,” he said . “ This $ 7 million program will take the almond industry ’ s exports to the next level . The almond industry has already seen significant growth in their export figures over the past 20 years , and this investment clearly signals that they are not slowing down anytime soon .” The program will support the almond industry in their export ambitions through a range of market access and development activities such as participation in trade shows and missions , educational messaging about health benefits and engagement with key trade stakeholders . The new funding agreement recognises the track record of the ABA and its key stakeholders have established over a long period of time in co-ordinating marketing initiatives under the Australian Almonds branding umbrella . All marketer brands continue to create their own destinies across the world market , but they continue to see the economic and marketing value of operating within the ABA marketing structure . To maintain a strategic collaboration that has stood the test of time and has resulted in Australian almond exports going from boutique quantities to the powerhouse it has become is a credit to all involved over the past 20 years . The collaboration emphasises the fact that grower funds are being used efficiently to maximise returns . The ABA board has endorsed a marketing framework that focuses on cultivating new , emerging and existing markets to cater for the increased production coming over the next 3-4 years .
Trade agreements like China , Thailand , the UK and India will help influence the marketing spend .
Crop estimate revised
The revised Australian crop estimate of 108,945 tonnes for the 2023 season was a long way short of the figure the industry had originally predicted . Long-term industry tonnage timelines based on plantings in the ground and age of trees had Australia producing 165,000 tonnes this year . This was reduced in December amid concerns around the poor pollination season in August to just over 156,000 tonnes , but to fall short by another 30 % was not expected . In recent history , the crop estimate miscalculation was by far the biggest miss the industry has experienced since ABA estimates started . The estimation process involves the ABA receiving aggregated crop estimates from the major marketers and processors and then aggregating the data into a total . Accurate crop estimates are the holy grail of the almond industry . California authorities and industry stakeholders devotes a huge amount of resources and rarely get it spot on such is the difficulty in estimating the yield and crack out percentages ( which were both down this year ). The ABA estimate is the result of a process that is far from an exact science and we suspect includes methodology used in California ’ s subjective and objective estimates on a much smaller scale . It is estimated that the industry has carried in approximately 20,000 tonnes from previous seasons so this will help offset the low crop . The first two sales months of the season have confirmed as much with manufacturing grade destinations like Turkey and Spain being well up on previous years . This indicates that processors are clearing old stock which have helped post two record months and ensure growers still receive a return for inventory held back from previous seasons . Obviously , the current trajectory of export sales volumes cannot continue for the whole season , but all eyes will remain tightly focused on the Australian-US exchange rate to help calculate grower returns . If the Aussie dollar can stay in the mid $ US0.60s this will help boost dismal world pricing at the moment for all but nonpareil inshell .
industry . australianalmonds . com . au
5