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Domestic Consumption Greatest Source of Increased
Almond Demand
Mark Jansen, President and CEO Blue Diamond
Growers, issued a press release TODAY reporting that for
the second consecutive year, domestic consumption of California Almonds is
driving demand. U.S. shipments have grown 11% over a year ago, and in
December they posted a 20% gain. The U.S. is the most consistent,
largest and greatest source of growth for California almonds.
Total global shipments
for the month were flat to last year. Year to date, shipments exceed prior
year by 6%. We are now projecting a 2 billion pound crop, which should
give the industry just enough almonds to sustain the current growth rate of
6%.
Prices are 25% higher
than last year, so we are increasingly seeing which markets will pay premium
prices for almonds. Sales weakness continued in two of the largest export
markets, China and India. The total European region sits at 21% year to date
over last year. Spain had a particularly strong month receiving nearly
60% more volume than last year. The Middle East is recovering,
replacing last year’s losses with shipments up 28% over prior year for the
month and climbing 39% year to date.
With demand for
California Almonds firmly in place, prices are expected to remain solid as we
progress into the bloom.
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Labels: California Sustaining Global Almond Demand, Domestic Consumption Greatest Source of Increased Almond Demand