This first fortnight of April has been marked by somewhat cooler weather and rainfall in most of the territory. of the territory. This is very good especially for the rainfed tree, as it strengthens it and makes it strengthens it and makes the fruit bigger. In addition, the slightly cooler temperatures prevent further early flowering.
In general, with the exception of some areas, especially in the north of the country, flowering is coming to a satisfactory end. satisfactorily and as good news, of which there has been little lately, we can say that everything has has occurred without serious damage. It is already difficult for a setback to occur at this time of year and to and affect it in a generalised way. It seems to be, as we we have just said, that unless there are any surprises, we will have a good harvest. This does not We would like to comment again on what we have said on previous occasions. We have observed, in the traditional almond trees, that the view of the tree is beautiful, but they do not have a lot of almonds. beautiful, but they do not have a lot of almonds. Fat ones, yes, but few. At On the other hand, the new plantations, which are the ones that are going to carry the weight of the harvest, look quite good. harvest, look quite good.
Here are some photographs of our visit our visit to the area of Chirivel (Almería).
As we commented in the last March shipments report, flowering in California is progressing quite satisfactorily and, unless there are any surprises, everything looks like progressing quite satisfactorily and, unless there are any surprises, the next harvest is going to be quite good. the next harvest is going to be quite good. The weather conditions have been very conditions have been very favourable and some companies are already reporting that the harvest will be a possible crop at a possible 2.70/2.80 blb.
On the price front, we have another week of bearish prices. prices, we are faced with another week of bearish prices. We note that it has gone from around $2.30/lb. from around 2.30 $/lb to around 2.25 $/lb, if we take the STD 5% as a reference. if we take the STD 5% as a reference. New crop we have been able to observe around 2.15 $/lb. The American seller is in a very uncertain situation for many reasons. uncertainty for many reasons. Not only the situation we are experiencing which leaves the evolution of consumption in doubt, not only for the rest of this season, but also for the beginning of the next. this season, but the beginning of the next one. Also the fact that a very good harvest is coming, as we have good harvest, as we have already mentioned, and they do not want to have too much carryin carryin for the following season. Then there are problems with containers stuck in ports in ports where it is difficult to get them out for various reasons, especially in India. containers that many of them will have to be resold, without going into a debate on the to discuss the situation of the evolution of the pandemic itself. There are many ingredients that give rise to a latent concern that is reflected in prices. prices.
The evolution of the market in the current circumstances we are in is impossible to predict. It will depend on the economies of each country to recover from this, taking with it that this pandemic ends as soon as possible. as soon as possible. What is clear is that the situation is going to be affected, in terms of consumption. Hopefully as little as possible.
With regard to Spanish almonds, we are living in a situation of absolute tranquillity. are living in a situation of absolute tranquillity. Not only during Easter week, which was a totally inactive week, but there is no demand, not even from the market. was a totally inactive week, but there is no demand either from the domestic or export market. domestic or export market. Everyone is waiting to see what might happen in the future. in the future. On the other hand, the supply side is not pressing either. There is interest in but no selling pressure. It is clear that the price must be corrected with respect to the values before Easter, from commune owner to 5.25 €/kg, commune 12/14 to 5.45 €/kg and new harvest September delivery in commune owner at 5.17 €/kg. These prices, after the American decline and the lack of demand, should be corrected downwards, there is already downwards, and there is already talk of possible values of 5.10/5.15 €/kg at commune owner. But this will only be seen in the course of the next few days.
With regard to organic, prices remain the same for the current harvest, with prices remain the same for the current harvest, with demand being lower in recent months, and the supply has demand has been lower in recent months, and supply has disappeared. But for the new harvest new crop, however, questions are beginning to be asked. It is clear that the buyer, faced with a possible better harvest this year better crop this year, will not buy at the prices they have been buying at lately, preferring instead to wait for a and prefers to wait for a possible break in prices. But but they are already starting to take an interest. We will see how this evolves as the days go by. days.
In conclusion, we must be aware that difficult times lie ahead. that difficult times lie ahead. We say it again. We must be patient and know that nerves are not good companions. First and foremost it is out of this situation and maintain the best health we can, and then we will see how the market we will see which way the market goes. It will probably be a long road back to normality and it won't be a matter of a short time, but this year we have a very good harvest that makes us very happy. very good crop this year which makes us very happy, despite the circumstances. The world consumption, as we have seen, has increased in recent years and is expected to continue to do so, in a normal situation. is expected to continue, in a normal situation. Let us be optimistic. It is true that we may be experiencing lower prices now, and possibly for the coming season, than we have seen in recent years, but it was also than we have seen in recent years, but this is also to be expected in large world harvests. world harvests.
We hope this information will help.
