Last January, Almeria's dried fruit sector exported 387 tonnes of almonds; an 18% increase compared to 2012.
From these sales, the sector's companies obtained a 2.8 million Euro turnover; 73.7% more than in January 2012. The almond sector is the province's ninth largest exporter, with a 1% market share.
By value, Almeria is Andalusia's largest exporter, as well as Spain's fourth, only behind Tarragona, Alicante and Albacete, with 8.3% of the country's quota, as highlighted by the regional delegate of Andalusia's Council of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment, José Manuel Ortiz.
Italy was the main destination for Almeria's almonds, importing 60% of the produce (126% more than last year), followed by Germany, with 24.4% (-9%); France, with 11.6% and the UK, with 4.4%, according to data elaborated by EXTENDA from the latest Datacomex report.
In January, Almeria's expenditure in almond imports was of 2.1 million Euro (2.12% more). 100% of these were shipped from the United States.
Lower production volumes, but more value
Last year, Almeria's dried fruit sector harvested 6,600 tonnes of almonds; a 25.7% drop in production volumes; however, this circumstance entailed a 66% increase in the product's value (1.7 Euro/kilo), which is twice as much as five years ago. The total value of the province's almond production stood at 11.34 million Euro; 23.5% more than in 2012.
This drop in production volumes was caused by a series of incidents, such as frosts in February and March, which affected the early flowering varieties; problems with the flowering as a result of constant rains, and the exhaustion of some plantations as a consequence of drought periods in previous years, which reduced the average yield.
Almonds are the province's most extended crop, distributed mostly between the regions of Alto Almanzora and Los Vélez.
Source: fhalmeria.com