Australia harvests record almond crop as exports to India surge

Australia’s almond production reached a record 178.3 thsd tons in 2026, up 14.5% from 155.7 thsd tons a year earlier. According to the Almond Board of Australia, the new figure also surpassed the previous record of 163.1 thsd tons set in 2024. The increase was supported by expanding almond orchard areas, which helped growers achieve a strong harvest despite challenging weather conditions during the harvesting period.

Higher production is supporting Australian almond exports. Between March and September 2026, the country exported 94.7 thsd tons of almonds, an increase of 3.8% compared with the same period of the previous season. In September alone, overseas shipments rose by 16.6% to 17.9 thsd tons, marking the second-highest September export volume on record. Meanwhile, domestic sales during the first seven months of the season declined by 9.2% to 13 thsd tons.

The strongest demand growth is coming from India. During March–September, Australian almond exports to the country increased by 38.5% to 18.5 thsd tons. In gross weight terms, shipments reached 24 thsd tons. September deliveries alone surged nearly 3.8 times year-on-year to 4.4 thsd tons. According to the Almond Board of Australia, overall sales to the Indian market have increased by 60% since the beginning of the season.

Trade with India is being supported by preferential terms under the bilateral Australia–India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA). The agreement provides a 50% reduction in import duties on the first 34 thsd tons of Australian almonds shipped to India. Given the strong demand, Australian exporters could come close to fully utilizing this tariff quota during the current season.

China remains Australia’s largest almond export market, although shipments to the country declined by 13.3% to 46.8 thsd tons in March–September. Meanwhile, exports to Türkiye increased by 15.1% to 6.6 thsd tons, shipments to Vietnam rose by 13.7% to 6 thsd tons, and deliveries to Spain more than doubled to 3 thsd tons. Expanding export destinations and record production are creating opportunities for further growth in Australian almond exports during the 2026/27 season.

Tags: Australia, India, almond