HARVEST has started for the 2022 Australian almond season.
The Almond Board of Australia (ABA) recently announced a crop estimate of 145,000 tonnes, which is up on the 124,439 tonnes produced last year.
The increase is due to existing plantings maturing and will be the second step in a significant five-year growth phase that will see the Australia crop reach 185,000 tonnes by 2025.
Almost 18 million trees have planted across almost 59,000 hectares in the southern Murray Darling Basin and the Swan region of WA.
The upcoming marketing season looks set to be one most the most challenging for the industry.
ABA CEO Tim Jackson said ongoing sea freight congestion was creating uncertainty and delaying shipments for exporters.
“The new season Australian almonds will be in high demand, but the frustration for our marketers will be securing enough shipping space and containers to maximise their opportunities around the world,” he said.
“Over the past 12 months our exporters have still exported more than ever before, but it has extremely hard work and 2022 looks like being more of the same.
“Like all other Australian agriculture exporters, there is ongoing frustration in moving inventory in a timely manner.
“It is taking weeks and weeks to get a booking and then there is no guarantee when the container will arrive at the other end.
“Getting deals done for prompt shipments are not what they used to be, so the whole supply chain has switched from a ‘just in time’ ordering mentality, to one of ordering with a ‘just in case’ philosophy given the ongoing risks in delivery delays.”
Many growers have also been impacted by unseasonal weather in the lead-up to harvest.
Storm damage and heavy hail in the spring has many South Australian growers unsure of the crop size, while ongoing high winds and heavy rain in the Riverina will also have diminished crop potential.
Mr Jackson said a wet season would place greater pressure on on-farm storage methods and the ABA industry website had a range of helpful tools and tips to assist growers with wet conditions on farm.
He said the industry’s processors were better placed than ever before to address potential food safety issues during a wet season due to the introduction of various pasteurisation technologies by the processors.
“This type of investment is worth its weight in gold during seasons like this,” he said.
“The industry can provide a food safe product to customers. It has been a game changer for the industry over the past decade.
Mr Jackson said demand for almonds remains strong although pricing looks set to remain around 2021 levels given the combined record volume of product produced in California, Spain and Portugal.
“In the past, the Californian marketers have been able to move whatever they grow during their season,” he said.
“But the current shipping problems have stymied all lower priced stock clearance strategies and look set to create an unprecedented carry-over to new season later in the year.”
