California Almonds - September Position Report

The Almond Board of California has released the September Almond Position Report with shipments of +190.5 million pounds compared  to last year of +201.5 million pounds for a decrease of 5.4%.

Shipments were expected to be close to last year’s record number, however, with the lateness of the harvest this year very few loads of pollinators were shipped out in September.

DOMESTIC SHIPMENTS 50.4 million lbs.                -13%

EXPORTS SHIPMENTS    140.1 million lbs.              -2.25% 

CARRY OUT: The Carry out from 2016 is 398.6 million pounds.

YEAR TO DATE SHIPMENTS:   +359 million pounds compared to 371 million pounds last year for a decrease of 3.3% percent.

CROP RECEIPTS: Now at 844 million pounds down 14.8% from last year 1.011 billion pounds.  The late harvest has contributed to the slowness in which almonds have been received.

HARVEST: The harvest continues up and down the state.  Nonpareils have all been received.  Pollinators are continuing to be received.  Quality is not as ideal as the past few years.  This season we are having higher levels of insect damage/serious damage.  These higher levels of damage are slowing down the pace of processing and packing. Most varieties are reporting a higher levels of doubles as well making it more difficult to produce Extra #1 and Supreme grades.  Color of Nonpareil is lighter than last year.  Sizes for Nonpareil are predominantly in the range of 23/25 to 27/30.

SEPTEMBER SALES: New Sales during the month of September were at +235 million pounds!!  Combining the carry out with the new crop, the industry is now at +41.5% sold.

OCTOBER: Our look for the October shipment will be very strong with industry experts predicting shipments similar to up 10% over last year!  Most packers are fully booked for October and many are full for November at this time.  If you have demand, please plan on 4 to 6 weeks for the earliest shipments to be made.