Factors affecting California Almond Prices

Almonds are a staple in almost all Indian households. It is delicious, crunchy, and jam-packed with nutrients. In the recent decade, Californian almonds are the most well-known type of almonds in the Indian market. While ‘Californian’ is a commonly used term, it technically refers to 30 different varieties of almonds. 

Why are California almond prices so high?

Almonds in India are so revered that we use them as puja offerings and give them to each other as gifts.

The Almond Board of California (ABC) fostered this delicate tasting tree nut and turned it into a lucrative cash crop. California now accounts for more than 80 % of the world's almond exports. 

As we mentioned before- Almonds are a water-intensive crop. Despite this being a fact, California (a famous drought-prone area in the US) insists on giving almonds priority

Californian almonds also shoulder the whole of California’s export burden. They are even larger than California's wine industry. And that is saying something as Californian wines bring in 1.36 billion dollars to the US and have relevance in 142 countries. 

Having said that, prices of almonds have slashed down to almost half since the beginning of 2012. Even a decade ago, Californian almonds were almost 5 dollars a pound. However, in June 2020, the monthly average price of almonds was dragged down to almost 1.80 dollars per pound which is less than half of the 2012 prices. 

Therefore, almonds are getting cheaper to produce. However, a multitude of other factors like the weather, fossil fuel prices, and export/import duties might affect California almond prices even further. 

Are California almonds better than other almond varieties? 

Besides California, places like Afghanistan, Iran, and Kashmir also produce almonds. California almonds are cheaper than most almond varieties simply because they are mass-produced and hence can be distributed at cheaper rates

But does that automatically make Californian almonds better than the other almonds? 

Gurbandi Almonds- are characterized by their slightly bitter flavor and higher fat content. Gurbandi Almonds are grown in Afghanistan and are highly sought after for their medicinal value. They are priced higher than California Almonds and are harder to source too. 

Mamra Badam-Mamra Badam is considered a delicacy. It has a higher fat content and a slightly sweet flavor. Mamra badam is the most expensive variety of almonds found in the Indian market. They are grown in Iran, Afghanistan, and Kashmir.  

How to check California almond wholesale prices?

The price of agricultural goods is always changing in the market. But it might be hard to keep track of the prices. O’AgriFarm.com will help you check for mandi/wholesale rates of Californian almonds without you having to lift a finger. This way you can rest assured that you are paying the right price for some delicious California almonds. O’AgriFarm also has wholesale rates for other agricultural goods, making it a one-stop solution for all your wholesale pricing needs.