Asaja Córdoba reported that Córdoba's almond production is expected to decrease by 30% compared to last year, when approximately 8,700 tons were harvested.
This decrease is due to the incessant rains during flowering and the impossibility of carrying out treatments on that date because the workers could not enter the farms. In addition, the growers don't have alternative active ingredients to deal with pests.
Nonetheless, fruit size and quality are good, which, together with the increase in the productive area, partly compensates for the decrease in the crop.
According to data provided by the Andalusian Regional Dried Fruit Board, made up of the agricultural organizations ASAJA, COAG, UPA, AEOFRUSE, and Andalusian Agri-food Cooperatives, the current regional almond production will reach 39,636 tons, i.e., 4.68% less than the 41,582 tons achieved last season. At the national level, the sector expects to produce 127,639 tons in the 2025 season, 34% more than the average of the last four years and 5% more than last season.
Andalusia's productive area continues to grow, increasing by 12,126 hectares, 4,133 of which are irrigated. Granada is the province with the largest increase in rainfed area, with 3,888 hectares, while Seville had the greatest growth in irrigated land, with 2,159 hectares.
The sector only expects a 4.68% decrease in production because the increase in the productive area helped decrease the fall.
Production in Almeria remains at the same level as in the previous year, with 4,500 tons, as the decrease in the harvest has been offset by the good size of the fruits and the increase in the productive area. Production was maintained this year, but the province has experienced significant losses for many consecutive years. Production could continue to decrease due to the serious fungus issues, the continuous fall of almonds, and a wasp plague that is causing significant havoc. Marconas and Larguetas are in better condition than the Comunas.
Thanks to the increase in area, Cadiz will produce 924 tons (4.41% more than the 885 tons achieved last year), despite the heavy impact of rains during flowering and fruit set.
Granada expects 9,828 tons (-10.65% compared to the 11,000 tons harvested last year) due to weather incidents such as hail or snow in the north and rain in the south. Almonds continue to fall due to fungus. "We are coming from several years in a row of significant crop losses, partly offset by the entry into production of new plantations," said the Regional Nuts Board.
Huelva will produce 1,089 tons (-14.04% over the 1,267 tons of last year) because the rains in the flowering and fruit setting stages strongly affected production.
In contrast, production in Jaén is expected to increase. Despite the damage caused by Monilia, which led the sector to expect an average crop, similar or slightly lower to that of 2024, the estimated harvest has increased to 1,700 tons (+27% over the 1,330 tons of 2024) due to the entry into production of new plantations.
Malaga will produce 1,094 tons, -21.85% over the 1,400 tons of last year. A weak harvest is expected due to the prolonged drought's effect on the crops and the rains coinciding with the flowering period.
Seville has lost up to 50% of its harvest in some irrigated areas and 30% in rainfed areas. Wind and rain have hampered flowering and fruit set. In April, hail worsened the situation. Despite everything, fruit size and quality are good, and the sector expects to produce 12,000 tons. This is only 4% less than the 12,500 tons harvested last year, thanks to the significant increase in production area.
For more information:
Asaja Cordoba
www.asajacordoba.es