AU: Almondco celebrates robust growth
The business has gone from strength to strength in recent years on the back of prices touching highs not seen in more than two decades, and increased throughput – from about 5000 tonnes in 2000 to more than 21,000t of edible kernel in 2013.
Almondco has grown from a business with a $25-million turnover to one generating more than $150m last year.
Average grower payments in 2013 also rose by 34pc to $6780/t and on track to increase for the 2014 cropping year, breaking through the $8000/t barrier for the first time since 2005.
Almondco managing director Brenton Woolston said "it was very important to the company that growers are rewarded for the horticultural risk they undertake".
The firmer global almond prices have been driven by increased international appetite for gluten-free almond products, coupled with flattening global supply due to severe drought conditions in California, the world's largest producer.
Almondco has witnessed strong growth for its products in the domestic and export markets.
Brenton said Australia remained their biggest market, accounting for 55pc of sales, and continued to grow through the creation of various market segments.
"We are certainly seeing healthier food choices being made by today's shoppers and industrial buyers," he said.
He said the industry had undergone massive changes in the 70 years since Almondco had been in business.
"Almonds were first grown in Adelaide in 1842, making it an early settler in South Australia," he said.
The Co-operative Almond Producers, forerunner of Almondco, was formed in 1944, and the first commercial processing facility set up at Edwardstown, Adelaide.
Brenton said the industry was fortunate to have pioneers who went to California to learn about the different almond varieties, rootstocks, bee pollination and orchard practices to increase production in Australia.
Source: stockjournal.com.au
