Portugal could join the group of global almond producers within four to five years if campaigns remain as good as this year’s. The harvest is expected to reach 20,000 tons of almond kernels in 2023, which represents an increase of about 20% compared to the product obtained last year, estimates the Executive Director of Portugal Nuts – Associação de Promoção de Frutos Secos, in statements to DN/ Dinheiro Vivo.
António Saraiva says that the almond trees planted in the EDIA – Alqueva Development and Infrastructure Company area alone will contribute about eight thousand tons of almond kernels to the total national harvest. “The average age of the trees there is four years. So they are new. Because an almond tree comes into production in the third year, the fourth year is still growth – and they continue until they are mature -. There is great potential here to help us grow,” says the director.
With the growing capacity of almond trees in that area and with the rest of the national almond plantations in full production – with some exceptions for the area of the Algarve, where the trees are older – there are enough almonds for national consumption and also for export . .
“The quantities we produce are able to meet national demand. The growth of the sector has been extraordinary and we are increasing our export capacity,” says António Saraiva. Although he knows that sales are always difficult and that this will be a challenge for the sector in the future, the person in charge of Portugal Nuts also explains that the country has the advantage of being alongside the largest importers and exporters of almonds in Spain.
Source: DN
