California Ag Network

Tag: Almond Shipments

  • Blue Diamond Releases May Market Update

    April shipments from Blue Diamond Growers totaled 219.8 million pounds, within industry expectations at an 8.8% decline year over year on the heels of the last two strong shipment reports. April exports reached 167.3 million pounds, down 10.9% from prior year but continue to surpass last year’s pace by 1.3% at 1.55 billion pounds. Domestic shipments for April were mostly flat at 1.3% behind prior year. Domestic year-to-date shipments remain behind at 444 million pounds, down 14.4%. Total industry shipments through April stand at 1.99 billion pounds, down 2.7% versus last year.

    Shipments

    India: For the month of April, India imported 31.6 million pounds, a reduction from last year’s 45.9 million pounds. Compared to last year, the gap has widened to 8%. The market has taken a step back as warmer temperatures have reduced local consumption. India remains a strong player for global inshell consumption and will need to re-engage to secure inventories ahead of new crop supply.

    China/Hong Kong/Vietnam: April 2026 shipments to China/Hong Kong totaled 3.7 million pounds, marking a 110% increase compared to prior year. Shipments to Vietnam reached 4.8 million pounds, down 34% for the month and up 46% year to date. Combined shipments to these regions increased 2.65% year to date.

    Europe: Europe took a slight step back this month, with its growth rate declining year over year from 7% to 4%. The market continues to be a solid performer and reliable outlet for California almonds. Buyer mentality has not changed all year. Calculated and cautious buying activity should be expected to continue through the end of the crop year, with many beginning to shop for new crop coverage. Spain (+17%), Italy (+9%) and Germany (+4%) continue to lead the region’s growth.

    Middle East: The region continues to be hampered by the conflict with Iran. Buyers in the Persian Gulf region continue to take a wait-and-see approach with little appetite for risk. Demand is still present across the region, but logistical challenges and increased transportation costs make it difficult to take positions. Trade flows continue to evolve with new destinations now serving as trade hubs with Dubai unable to participate. Turkey continues to show strength, up 35%, while Pakistan, now up 202%, has emerged as a new throughput option to service the region’s demand. Trade will always find a way if buyers want to engage, but until a resolution is reached, the industry will continue to define a new normal over the coming weeks and months.

    Domestic: The domestic market shipped 52.6 million pounds, resulting in a decrease of 1.3%. April was the second largest shipment month of this crop year, bringing the market year-over-year decrease to 14.4%. Softer monthly sales have led to forward commitments declining by 5.2%. After a long period of steep declines, it appears the domestic market is maintaining its new monthly shipping average just shy of 50 million pounds. With forward commitments of 199 million pounds, this market is well positioned to match prior year’s final quarter shipments of approximately 152 million pounds.

    Commitments

    Total commitments currently stand at 517 million pounds, trailing last year by 1.6%. New sales for the month were subdued in anticipation of the Subjective Estimate and totaled 160.7 million pounds, down from 192.5 million last year. The domestic market secured 39.9 million pounds, while exports added 120.8 million pounds of new coverage. Total commitments for the domestic market are now at 199.6 million pounds while exports have reached 317 million pounds. With softer sales for the month, uncommitted inventory is currently up 4.2% at 605.8 million pounds versus 581.5 million pounds prior year.

    Crop

    The 2025 crop receipts are trickling in with just 4 million pounds added in April, bringing the receipts to approximately 2.69 billion pounds.

    Blue Diamond’s May 9, 2026 Crop Estimate Report projects a California almond crop ranging between 2.675 and 2.72, with a center point of 2.69 billion pounds. The overall estimate reflects a balanced but cautious outlook acknowledging weather impacts, orchard abandonments and summer conditions which determine whether the crop reaches projected potential. The Blue Diamond crop estimate is closely aligned with similar estimates by the USDA Subjective Estimate (2.7 billion pounds) and others in the industry. We will continue to share crop updates in our June Market Report and our July Crop Forecast Report to provide a more precise forecast as we progress through harvest.

  • Almond Board of California Releases Market Update

    The Almond Board of California released its March position report on April 10, showing that industry shipments totaled 258 million pounds. Blue Diamond Growers notes that this is an increase of 16.5% year over year, surpassing expectations. March exports were up 21% compared to last year at 2025.2 million pounds. Export shipments are surpassing last yers pace, leading by 3% at 1.38 billion pounds and domestic shipments for March came in at 1.9% ahead from last year.

    “While domestic year-to-date shipments remain behind at 391 million pounds, down 15.9%, the increase this month is worth celebrating after months of softer results. Total industry shipments through March stand at 1.78 billion pounds, down 1.9% versus last year,” Blue Diamond Growers wrote in its March Almond Market Update. “The California almond industry has shown resilience and strong performance despite logistical delays associated with the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. With concern around Australian crop quality due to late season rainfall, we may see additional opportunities for California almonds ahead.”

    The March shipment performance confirmed an effectively functioning market, with global demand continuing to absorb supply. Export markets remain the primary driver, supported by consistent movement into Europe, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, despite recent disruptions. This includes 39.2 million pounds shipped to India. China/Hong Kong, also saw a 123% increase to 4.1 million pounds following last year’s tariffs. Shipments to Vietnam were at 5.6 million pounds, an 8.5% increase.

    The Middle East remains difficult, with reduced activity in the United Arab Emirates, but Turkey has seen an increase of 30% and Pakistan has seen an increase of 170%, indicating that demand is being redistributed rather than eroded.

    “The conflict in Iran has been a concerning factor for the industry for over a month. The March report serves as proof that demand across the Middle East remains intact as the region took 21.9 million pounds for the month. The current geopolitical conditions have introduced disruptions and logistical challenges to traditional trade flows in the Persian Gulf,” the Blue Diamond update read. “Saudi Arabia is also expected to act as an alternative routing option to supply regional buyers. The region remains a key demand center with creative execution strategies, and the normalization of logistics is expected to support future activity.”

    The market in Europe remains steady, with year-to-date shipments tracking ahead of 2025 by 7%.

  • California Almond Shipments Make Record Comeback

    Following record production years, pandemic and logistical issues slowed California almond shipments considerably, creating record carryover inventory and pricing issues for the industry.  Coming off a shorter crop year in 2022 and what appears to be another short crop in 2023, almond growers are hoping to see prices moving up again.  Watch this brief interview with Almond Board of California President Richard Waycott as he shares details of some record almond shipping months this year that is moving the industry back on track to greater prosperity.

  • CA Almond Export Situation Improves, Almond Alliance Update

    As almond growers were preparing for harvest this year, there were major concerns as to whether their crop would have a home overseas, due to port and logistical issues (both locally and worldwide).  The Almond Alliance of California quickly worked to bring authorities together to address this issue and do whatever it takes to get product onboard ships destined to our almond export countries.  Watch this video with Almond Alliance President Aubrey Bettencourt, as she shares how conditions have improved with more work to be done. She will be presenting more information on this at the Tree & Vine Expo on November 8 in Stanislaus and at the Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo on November 11 in Fresno, so be sure to register FREE at https://agexpo.biz/ to attend.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • New Measures to Improve Ag Exporter Conditions at the Port of Oakland

    While California agriculture’s current export shipping crisis is going to take a combined effort at multiple levels of government and supply chain leadership to resolve, a panel discussion at the recent convention of the Almond Alliance of California illustrated some positives steps that are being taken to improve the situation. Watch this brief interview with Andrew Hwang from the Port of Oakland to learn about some of these efforts, and read more about it in the June issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.

  • CA Almonds on the Verge of Losing Their Place in the Global Market

    California almonds, among other tree nuts and agricultural products have been struggling to make their way across the sea to consumers around the world.  Organizations such as the Almond Board of California have worked hard and invested a lot to open global markets and pave the way for California almonds to reach grocery stores worldwide, and all of this is at stake now if we can’t get our product beyond our western ports.  Watch this brief interview with Aubrey Bettencourt, President of the Almond Alliance of California as she details the problem and what they are doing to make a difference.  Read more about it in the June issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.