Almond Board of Australia’s Post

The tough times being experienced in global almond production was the focus of the annual International Nut Congress in Vancouver. Australia was represented by Almondco’s long serving managing director Brenton Woolston, pictured here with fellow panel members Laura Gerhard (USA) and Joan Fortuny (Spain).

Today the Almond Board of Australia and other agricultural bodies are banding together to take a stand against the Biosecurity Protection Levy. The levy is proposed to be implemented in 24 days but farmers haven't been given details about how it will be collected or managed. Farmers support efforts to strengthen and better fund Australia's biosecurity system, but this tax isn't the way. Farmers already pay significant amounts in levies to underpin biosecurity programs and this proposal wants them to pay even more. Risk creators who bring pests and diseases to our shores need to contribute too. You can read more about the proposed Biosecurity Levy here: https://lnkd.in/gZjV9f6u #KeepFarmersFarming #ScrapTheTax

This National Heart Week, try adding 30g of almonds to your daily diet. For more than 20 years researchers have been examining the heart health benefits of almonds. Almonds are rich in healthy fats, known as monounsaturated fats, which help protect the heart. When eaten as part of a healthy diet, a daily handful of almonds can also lower LDL or “bad” cholesterol. For more information visit https://lnkd.in/g4i35sGB https://lnkd.in/gbrgdKCT

Around 40 people attended the Almond Board of Australia's regional meeting in Griffith this week. The key issues discussed included Monterey decline, pollination and water buybacks. The Riverina is Australia's second largest almond growing region.

2024 China Nut Expo The Australian almond industry is participating and exhibiting at the 2024 China Nut Expo and Trade Conference. This program runs from April 17 to 19 in Hefei in China. China is our largest single country market for Australian almonds. In our last marketing year, we sold 33,434 tonnes of Australian almonds to China. The ABA Marketing Officer, Lou Martin, participated in the Almond Plenary Session at the full day’s conference that opened this year’s China Nut Expo. This trade fair attracts several thousand Chinese nut industry stakeholders with a focus on the roasting and snacking category. Senior executives from our marketers along with the ABA will be promoting our new season Australian almond crop in an exhibition booth at the expo.

Almond sales surpass crop intake in 2023-24 season Demand for Australian almonds in one of the most challenging seasons on record has exceeded expectations. The Almond Board of Australia’s final monthly Sales Position Report of the 2023-24 season has posted an end of season all time sales record for the industry. Despite producing a 103,381 tonne crop, 34% down on pre-harvest estimates, Australian marketers managed to sell in excess of 131,000 tonnes to surpass the previous season’s record level of 129,500. The previous record was achieved against an intake of just over 140,000 tonnes. The annual figures suggest unsold stock from previous seasons has been cleared out, with key manufacturing markets like Turkiye and Spain as well as the Californian recyclers of low grade material having posted huge volume increases. Spain is up 23% with 10,609 tonnes, Turkiye up 83% with 11,104 tonnes and the US up 33% at almost 4000 tonnes.] Other features of the season include a downturn in China, which exceeded 50,000 tonnes last year. For the first time since the Free Trade Agreement with China in 2017, almond sales declined, largely due to reduced availability of high grade inshell in a wet season. Ironically, the other main inshell market in the world, India, was up 114% driven by the introduction of a 50% reduction in tariffs for kernel and inshell. The 2024 harvest is almost completed and it is expected that yields will return to long term forecasts and meet demand in a range of key markets. A largely dry harvest has resulted in improved quality of inshell, which is likely to increase interest from China and India.

Well done to the Almonds for Heart Health cycle team that completed the Murray to Moyne on the weekend in some very challenging conditions. Eighteen cyclists and the three person support crew covered 520km in two days. The team raises funds for Heartbeat Sunraysia which will be used purchase medical equipment for health services in the Sunraysia and the Riverland. If you'd like to support the riders, donations can be made via https://lnkd.in/gM2hPPQA

2024 AUSTRALIAN ALMOND CONFERENCE Trade stalls and sponsorship packages available now: https://lnkd.in/eYPeFSgn “Future ready almonds” is the theme for the 2024 Australian Almond Conference in Adelaide from October 2-4.   The event will showcase the challenges and opportunities the industry faces and feature some of the most astute almond minds in the world.   There will subject matter for growers big and small.   The conference returns to the Adelaide Convention Centre, with two presentation areas at each end of the trade exhibition area and hospitality hub.   There is no glossing over the fact that many growers and suppliers have experienced tough times since our last conference in 2022 and this year’s program will tackle issues like pollination, water efficiency, disease and pest management, dieback, new varieties and autonomous machinery.   The conference will also use the Slido app to ensure all delegates can interact with presenters and get the answers they want to their specific problems.   Despite all the challenges we have faced, Australian almonds continue emerge as a powerhouse industry that has attracted significant investment.   The ABA, in conjunction with Hort Innovation, has almost 30 research and development programs dedicated to addressing key issues on farm, doing more with less and promoting the benefits on consuming a handful of almonds every day.   On the second day of the conference, a spouses tour to the McLaren Vale winery region is planned. For those in South Australia and New South Wales, the Wednesday-Friday fixturing of the conference leads straight into the October long weekend. Further information about the conference will be added to the events section of the Almond Board of Australia's website in coming weeks.

Our football shaped tins filled with Australian almonds were in high demand before the Gather Round AFL match in Adelaide yesterday. A daily handful of almonds is a great source of nutrition, packed with protein, vitamin E and healthy fats.

Are you our next assistant manager at the Almond Centre of Excellence? https://lnkd.in/gjEhgtTi