The Walnut Board of California has released the April Monthly Shipment Report
April of 2015 compared to April 2014- April 2015 shipments were 39,732 Inshell equivalent tons compared to 34,906 Inshell equivalent tons last year. Representing a increase of 12% (4,826 tons).
Domestic Shipments - for the month of April 2015 were down -6%
Export Shipments – for the month of April 2015 were up 30%
YEAR TO DATE SHIPMENTS- Shipments through April 30th of 2015 were up +1 % overall compared to last year. Total Shipments are 412,196 Inshell equivalent tons.
EXPORT SHIPMENTS- Shipments are slightly up compared to last year. Current year to date export shipments are 279,953 Inshell tons; compared to last year at 273,059 Inshell tons, representing increase of + 2.5%.
DOMESTIC SHIPMENTS- Shipments are slightly down compared to last year at the same time. Current year to date domestic shipments are 132,243 tons; compared to last year at 134,975 Inshell tons, representing a slight decrease of -2%.
U.S. – The domestic market was down - 6% for the month of April due to a decrease in kernel shipments.
Europe- Had increased shipments of Inshell shipments due to the Netherlands and Spain. Germany shipped 707,439 more pounds of kernels compared to April of 2014. UK also had increased kernel shipments for the month.
Middle East/Africa – Shipments increased on both Inshell and kernels for the month. Turkey represented the increased Inshell shipments shipping 1,123,796 Inshell pounds compared to 705,472 pounds last April. Overall the kernel shipments were also up compared to last year. Israel accounted for most of the kernel shipments and nearly doubled the previous April numbers, this year Israel shipped 730,000 lbs compared to 383,900 lbs last year.
Asia/Pacific - Was up on both Inshell and kernels. Increase was mainly due to the port strike that was finally cleared up. Inshell shipments were up over 4 millio
n pounds and kernel shipments were up nearly 3 million pounds.
CROP RECEIPTS- Receipts are 562,504 Inshell tons as of April 30th , 2015, which should represent the entire crop. The CASS Crop Estimate is at 545,000 Inshell tons.
Demand has been sporadic with some export countries coming in to book some tonnage along with some U.S. customers looking to secure the remaining needs for this crop year. Now is a good time to book your needs especially if you require Chandler high half count material.
Prices We expect market to remain to remain sloppy as it continues to try and establish a floor on certain items. The high half count Chandler material should remain firm for the remaining crop year. We will continue to keep you updated on new crop as the season progresses.