PRODUCTION
The European Union is one of the world’s leading producers and consumers of almonds. Furthermore, the EU is the single largest export market for California almonds, with Spain being the leading single- country market. Annually, California production is exported to more than 100 countries worldwide, and the EU-28 represents approximately one third of California’s almond exports.
Spain
Spanish production has historically fluctuated greatly. Currently, the high prices paid for almonds are increasing the number of hectares of almonds planted annually as an alternative to the low prices in field crops. New varieties, modernization of the irrigation techniques, and the good prices reached in recent seasons are making Almonds more profitable for investors and improving the expectations of the industry.
For MY 2017, the latest official forecast published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and Environment (MAPAMA) estimates a production of 71,622 MT (shelled basis), a 20 percent increase compared to previous year’s crop. This is a preliminary figure. According to the MAPAMA initial estimates, most of the main producing regions will increase their production compared to previous marketing year. Only Castilla-La Mancha, affected by severe drought, will see a 25 percent decrease in production.
Italy
Italy is the second largest EU-28 almond producer after Spain. Sicily and Puglia are the main almond- producing areas, accounting together for approximately 88 percent of total supply. Tuono, Pizzuta d’Avola, Fascionello, Filippo Ceo, Fragiulio Grande, Genco, Falsa Barese, Ferragnés are the leading varieties grown in the country. Italy’s MY (marketing year) 2017/18 almond production is forecast to drop by approximately 40 percent compared to the previous year due to the summer draught that affected the Italian peninsula. Quality is expected to be good.
Table 1. Major EU Almond Producers by Volume in MT (Shelled Basis)
| COUNTRY | MY 2015/16 | MY 2016/17 | MY 2017/18 |
| Spain | 63,964 | 59,661 | 71,622 |
| Italy | 20,000 | 20,000 | 12,000 |
Source: FAS Europe Offices
CONSUMPTION
Almonds represent an important component of the Mediterranean diet. In-shell almonds are mainly sold for fresh consumption. Shelled almonds are milled and generally used as a raw material for confectionary and bakery food companies.
Tree nuts imports are indispensable for EU consumers. Traditionally, consumers prefer locally grown products mainly for loyalty and habits, but since local production is not enough to satisfy the enormous demand, the industry depends on imports. Also, pricing plays a key role as domestic production leads to higher prices, pushing consumers to look for lower prices and therefore to imported varieties.
IMPORTS
In MY 2015, the United States was once more the main source of almonds for European importers. U.S. almonds face competition from locally grown almonds, particularly from Spain. The EU is consistently increasing their imports from Australia as production increases, but their export numbers to Europe are still very far from being a real competition. U.S. almonds will likely continue to enter the EU market with highly competitive prices.
The major EU-28 importers of U.S. almonds by volume were Spain, Germany and Italy in this order. Many countries import large quantities of almonds destined both for domestic consumption and re- export markets, as well as for the food and snack industry.
Table 2. EU-28 Imports of Almonds by Origin in MT (Shelled Basis)
| Country of origin | MY 2013/14 | MY 2014/15 | MY 2015/16 |
| United States | 221,177 | 206,844 | 213,872 |
| Australia | 19,951 | 19,107 | 20,794 |
| Morocco | 1,544 | 2,009 | 1,511 |
| Chile | 465 | 449 | 1,154 |
| Argentina | 33 | – | 675 |
| Syria | 83 | 159 | 648 |
| Others | 2,804 | 1,706 | 1,178 |
| TOTAL IMPORTS | 246,057 | 230,274 | 239,832 |
Source: GTA
EXPORTS
The top destinations for EU-28 almonds in MY 2015 were the United States, Switzerland and Melilla.
The largest almond exporter is Spain and Spanish exports are destined mainly for other EU MS.
Table 3. EU-28 Exports of Almonds by Destination in MT (Shelled Basis)
| Country of origin | MY 2013/14 | MY 2014/15 | MY 2015/16 |
| United States | 3,476 | 6,178 | 5,342 |
| Switzerland | 1,704 | 1,854 | 1,789 |
| Melilla | 26 | 161 | 1,481 |
| Ceuta | 408 | 382 | 1,050 |
| Canada | 336 | 598 | 690 |
| Australia | 158 | 156 | 319 |
| Others | 4,676 | 3,941 | 4,121 |
| TOTAL EXPORTS | 10,784 | 13,270 | 14,792 |
Source: GTA
PRODUCTION, SUPPLY AND DEMAND DATA STATISTICS
|
Almonds , Shelled Bas is EU-28 |
2015 | 2016 | 2017 | ||||
| 2015/2016 | 2016/2017 | 2017/2018 | |||||
| Market Year Begin: Aug 2015 | Market Year Begin: Aug 2016 | Market Year Begin: Aug 2017 | |||||
| USDA Official |
New Pos t |
USDA Official |
New Pos t |
USDA Official |
New Pos t |
||
| Area Planted | 0 | 650,470 | 0 | 685,160 | 0 | 685,160 | (HA) |
| Area Harves ted | 0 | 570,989 | 0 | 570,609 | 0 | 570,609 | (HA) |
| Bearing Trees | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | (1000 TREES) |
| Non-Bearing Trees | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | (1000 TREES) |
| Total Trees | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | (1000 TREES) |
| Beginning Stocks | 20,000 | 20,000 | 18,000 | 18,000 | 0 | 18,000 | (MT) |
| Production | 96,000 | 94,929 | 95,000 | 90,696 | 0 | 103,242 | (MT) (MT) (MT) (MT)
(MT) |
| Imports | 264,500 | 239,832 | 265,000 | 250,000 | 0 | 255,000 | |
| Total Supply | 380,500 | 354,761 | 378,000 | 358,696 | 0 | 376,242 | |
| Exports | 14,800 | 14,792 | 14,000 | 15,000 | 0 | 15,000 | |
| Domes tic
Cons umption |
347,700 |
321,969 |
346,000 |
325,696 |
0 |
343,242 |
|
| Ending Stocks | 18,000 | 18,000 | 18,000 | 18,000 | 0 | 18,000 | (MT) |
| Total Dis tribution | 380,500 | 354,761 | 378,000 | 358,696 | 0 | 376,242 | (MT) |
Source: FAS Europe Offices
Sourse: https://www.fas.usda.gov/data/eu-28-tree-nuts-annual-4