India emerges as major importer of California almonds

NEW DELHI: India has emerged as the fourth largest importer of California almonds with inward shipments rising by nearly 20% in FY09 compared to 2007-08. According to the Almond Board report, India has grown to become the fourth largest export market for California almonds after Spain, Germany and China. Shipments to India rose by 19.6% to 39,462.5 tonnes in 2008-09 and that compared with 33,000 tonne in 2007-08, the report said.

���India is among the fastest-growing markets for the dry fruit and a top priority for long-term investment for the California almonds industry,��� Almond Board president and CEO Richard Waycott said in a statement.

He said, last year there was a significant rise in demand for California almonds in India and the board remained committed to growing the market through consistent investment and supply of the dry fruit.

Citing a recent study, the board said almond is the most preferred dry fruit among 47% of Indians, adding that about 67% Indians consider almond as a healthy dry fruit. On global shipments, Californian almonds set new record in 2008-09 crop year, bucking the global economic downturn, the statement said.

Around 630,493.3 tonnes of almonds were shipped world-wide during the crop year ending July 31, 2009, making it the third consecutive year of record exports, it said. This, it said, reflects a 10% rise over the previous year and exceeds the entire production volume of 625,957.4 tonnes in 2007-08. The combined share of Asia and the Middle East jumped from 33% in FY08 to 41% in the FY09 due to rising demand, it added.