Field in bloom
The country enters fully into the almond harvest season with a heterogeneous panorama: there are farms that face a very good campaign and others in which episodes of hail, intense rain and fungal diseases have taken their toll. In Aragon, where cultivation has continued to expand, the start is being experienced with some caution, but the initial data is already available.
The start coincides with a scenario of sustained quotes compared to the previous year, although the sector keeps its sights on the outside due to the effect of the Tariffs and the entry of Californian almonds in the European Union. At the same time, the almond map continues to grow: in the Aragonese community the hectares have risen to almost 78.000, which adds volume and also competition in the territory itself.
Harvest in Aragon: initial balance and yields
Detail of the fruit
Initial estimates place the Aragonese harvest between 20.000 and 22.000 tons of dried fruit. In irrigated land, many producers report a yield close to 100%, Whereas the dry land, despite improving after years of drought, would move around 60-70% and with strong differences between regions.
In areas like Valdeltormo Valdealgorfa is described as a campaign “worthy of being framed” thanks to the well-distributed rainfall and a vigorous tree after two difficult years. However, in Valjunquera and La Codoñera, the storm in mid-August left specific losses of up to 70-80% of the fruit, both in almonds and olives, with part of the crop on the ground and damage to the wood.
ARAGA warns of the incidence of Monilia and other fungi in wet campaigns, which have caused significant losses, especially in late varieties and on dryland farms. Farmers from Cinco Villas and Campo de Belchite confirm a start with uneven results even within the same municipal area.
The improvement in rainfall this year has pushed up the caliber in many plots, but the hailstorms and episodes of wind have affected the load in others. The sector insists that the final photograph will depend on how advance the harvest and the evolution of weather reports in the coming weeks.
Exit prices and market pulse
Market movement
The first operations speak of references between 5,10 and 5,20 €/kg for late flowering, with varieties such as Marcona that exceed €6/kg and Largueta in the range of approximately €5,10. In Catalonia, starting prices range between 5,30 and 6,30 €/kg depending on variety and size.
Leaders of agricultural organizations point out that the market behaves in a relatively stable Initially, there was demand for high calibers. However, they remind us that part of the price formation is subject to the reference California the evolution of its stock, so they do not rule out adjustments based on international behavior.
The organic sector, especially in the Region of Murcia, denounces that the price differential Compared to conventional almonds, it is still insufficient to cover the higher costs, in a context of lower yields and limited availability.
Marketing sources add that the purchase is being cautious while waiting for definitions at the destination, while the production insists on prioritize local products to sustain the profitability of family farms.
Other territories: Catalonia and the Region of Murcia
In Catalonia, Agriculture foresees 32.970 tons spread over 26.272 hectares. Although the 61% of the surface is dry land, the productive weight falls on irrigated land. The campaign has been brought forward by about a week and will continue until mid october, with the focus on whether high temperatures end up affecting performance.
JARC emphasizes that productivity in irrigation can reach multiply by 15 or 20 that of dry land, for which they demand that the administration facilitate water at affordable prices to consolidate the competitiveness of the crop.
The Region of Murcia has started in areas such as Cartagena field, with an almond of good size and quality, but with a forecast that is around half of its historical potential: it is estimated that 5.500 tons of seed. FECOAM emphasizes the weakness of the organic farming due to lack of sufficient premium.
Rules of the external game and sector complaints
Organizations like UAGA-COAG and the Union of Unions have attacked the new tariff arrangement between the EU and the US. They denounce that, while European products face a 15% tax By entering the US market, Californian almonds reach Europe with very low tariffs, between 2% and 5,8%.
Regulatory asymmetry —with environmental restrictions more severe in European production—, combined with the weight of California (approx. 85% of the world market) and its recurring surplus since 2022, could put downward pressure on the quotes at source In Spain, they warn. They ask direct compensation and trade defense measures.
In addition to almonds, the agreement opens the door to more American agri-food products, while sectors such as wine and olive oil 15% fit in the US. From Catalonia, buyers and producers are urged to prioritize local almonds to mitigate the impact.
Mechanization and hedge model: focus on harvesting
Numerous Spanish farms are already showing the results of the almond tree in hedge, a system that accelerates the mechanization, facilitates harvesting and improves efficiency. With demonstrations scheduled in several communities, technicians are focusing on yields, size and agronomic behavior of the most widely used varieties and rootstocks.
These sessions include spaces for technical exchange between producers, specialists and companies in the sector, with the aim of transferring the good harvesting practices and post-harvest handling. Prior registration is required through the organization's official website.
Small farms and new crop map
Aragonese farmers warn of the effect of the macro plantations and the entry of large operators. In a volatile market, achieving trees to replace has become more expensive and availability is limited, complicating renewal plans on family farms.
Organizations are calling for relief from the bureaucracy to boost local sales and a reinforcement is proposed in plant health, fertilization and irrigation to maintain quality. After several years of drought, the increased rainfall this season has helped, but the presence of mushrooms This requires redoubling surveillance to avoid losing production in the final stretch.
With the campaign already underway and the photo still being formed, the almond tree has a start of irregular harvest by zones, prices starting between 5 and 6 €/kg, commercial tensions due to the duty and a fundamental challenge: sustaining the profitability of the family farms in an increasingly technological sector with greater international competition.
