November Exports Reach New Heights

November saw California almond exports reaching historic highs, yet regional disparities and market challenges remain a focal point for the industry. Here's a closer look at how key markets are performing.

California’s almond shipments soared to 2.3 billion pounds in November, marking the highest monthly volume since March 2022. Export demand climbed 21.9%, helping to balance a domestic market decline of 9.8%.

Europe Rebounds with Stronger Imports

Western Europe showcased a significant turnaround in November, narrowing its crop year decline to just 3%.

• The Netherlands emerged as a leader, doubling its imports to over 23.8 million pounds.
• Spain followed with 20 million pounds, exceeding last November’s levels, though its crop year imports remain 15% lower.
• Germany imported 11.7 million pounds, showing notable improvement but still trailing last year’s totals.

Middle East Drives Growth While Africa Shows Promise

The Middle East continued its upward trajectory, importing an additional 31 million pounds, a 38% year-on-year increase.

• Turkey led the charge with over 52 million pounds, a remarkable 63% growth rate.
• The UAE, the region’s top importer, recorded a 21% increase in shipments.

In North Africa, Morocco doubled its imports in November, lifting its crop year growth to 6%.

Asia: Vietnam Expands as China Pulls Back

China’s almond imports fell by 42%, reflecting reduced demand for both inshell and kernel varieties. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s imports surged by 63% to over 23 million pounds, with other Southeast Asian nations like Thailand and Indonesia also posting gains.

India’s imports dipped by 23%, equating to 37.5 million pounds less than last year. However, new opportunities are emerging in neighboring markets such as Kazakhstan and Pakistan, which imported 2.4 million pounds and 1.9 million pounds, respectively.

Conclusion: A Market Balancing Growth and Challenges

California’s almond industry is celebrating record exports but remains vigilant about evolving market dynamics. Europe and the Middle East are bright spots, while Asia presents mixed results. Emerging markets like Vietnam and Pakistan offer hope for diversification. As the season progresses, staying agile will be key to capitalizing on opportunities and addressing challenges.





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