India plays a key role in California’s Almonds’ growth story: Senior ABC official

Modesto (California), March 23 (PTI), most Indians swear to a few almonds every day, while 85% of Indians from California, Emily Fleischmann, vice president of global market development at the California Almond Council (ABC), said India played a “critical role” in California’s outstanding success.

India is the largest export market and second largest overall market for California almonds, behind only the United States (£728 million), with a record 400 million shipments in 2023-24, marking a 21% increase in the previous year.

“Soaking almonds overnight and feeding them three or five years old before they go to school, even as adults, is a common practice in India. Even believing that almonds will enhance mental acuity will create a special dynamic, a special motivation for no other market share globally.

“So yes, India plays a crucial role in the growth story of California’s almonds, and the numbers speak for themselves – from 100 million pounds consumed a decade ago to over 400 million pounds now. California accounts for 85% of the market share of entering India’s almonds,” Fleischmann said in an interview.

According to top ABC officials, in the 2023-24 crop year, California grew 76% of almonds, followed by Australia and Spain.

Other countries include Turkiye (2%) and Italy, Portugal, Morocco, China, Chile and Tunisia – she added.

Although India is the largest export market for California almonds, Fleischmann believes the country’s snack growth potential remains high.

She further highlighted that India’s per capita almond consumption is 0.46 pounds, especially compared to the top US, Germany and Italy, all of which are more than two pounds.

The board expects India to grow by 66% over the next 10 years in the second half of the tier II and III cities, and he is working to promote nuts in all forms of consumers – from flour to milk and beyond.

“Indians are looking for healthy snack options, whether it’s a whole core or a few almonds as snacks, or products like almond-filled bars or trail mixtures. There are also great opportunities in this market. Additionally, when we consider other forms of almonds such as flour, protein powder, protein powder or potential such as consumer level, the almonds are high.

That said, as a strong advocate of good portfolio management, Fleishman also recognizes the risk of putting all her eggs in one basket. She explains how they invest in various markets outside India and are actively seeking opportunities to expand new avenues.

“India happens to be the top of our portfolio, but it’s not the only market…we know that things may disappear and flow. We want to make sure we are stimulating demand in all regions around the world. For example, the size of the whole Europe is roughly the same as the size of the United States, we have demand in the United States and Europe, as well as in South Korea, Japan, China, China, China, China, China, China and Mexico.”

She told ABC is also looking to realize its own businesses in new markets such as Morocco, Türkiye, Indonesia, Pakistan and South Africa.

The board was first established as the Almond Control Committee in 1950 and is a nonprofit organization operating under the supervision of the USDA.

It represents over 7,600 almond growers and 100 processors in California and promotes California almonds nationally and internationally through marketing, research and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices and food safety.