Shelled almonds market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

The U.S. shelled almond market volume grew from 506 thousand tons in 2018 to 789 thousand tons in 2020. This expansion was supported by strong domestic almond output, aided by advancing precision irrigation technologies and ample supply availability. Concurrently, rising consumer preference for plant-based and healthy snacks, further amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, bolstered demand.

A sharp contraction followed, with market volume falling to 486 thousand tons in 2022. The primary driver was the implementation of California's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), which introduced water-use restrictions for almond cultivation, curbing production. This regulatory shift offset ongoing market innovations such as new flavored almond snacks and expanding almond-based product lines.

In 2023, the market volume stabilized, posting a modest increase to 505 thousand tons. However, the market's value continued to decline, reaching $2.18 billion, indicating sustained price adjustments or shifts in the product value mix.

Production shelled almonds in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, the United States was the leading producer of shelled almonds from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of shelled almonds, 2017-2020

World map of production of shelled almonds, 2017-2020

Shelled almond production in the United States grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1,413 thousand tons, marking a 22.2% year-over-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 37.2%, averaging an annual growth rate of 11.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Shelled almond production in the United States expanded for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 7,696 million US dollars, up 3.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 25.7%, with an average annual rate of 7.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports shelled almonds from the United States

Exports in kind, K t

Cross-border shipments of shelled almonds from the United States rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 629.2 thousand tons, showing a solid 10.1% improvement compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 14.5%, averaging 4.6% per year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 538.2 thousand tons, with the largest decline of 2.0% occurring that same year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, shelled almond exports from the United States were distributed across numerous countries. Spain accounted for 16.6% of exports in kind, Germany for 8.9%, and the Netherlands for 6.3%, together making up just 31.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year increase, shelled almond exports from the United States declined in value. In 2020, exports amounted to 3,427 million US dollars, down 7.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 4.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 3,687 million US dollars, when the largest increase of 9.2% occurred.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The partner structure for shelled almond exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was fragmented. Spain held 15.2% of exports in value, Germany 8.5%, and Japan 6.7%, collectively accounting for only 30.4% of total flows, with no single country dominating.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports shelled almonds to the United States

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year rise, shelled almond imports into the United States fell in volume. In 2020, imports totaled 5.1 thousand tons, a steep 53.0% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 30.9%, averaging an 11.6% annual decline. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 10.9 thousand tons, with the largest increase of 35.3% occurring in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Spain and Australia dominated shelled almond imports into the United States in kind, jointly accounting for 84.6% of total flows, while other countries held much smaller shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year increase, shelled almond imports into the United States declined in value. In 2020, import volume was recorded at 43 million US dollars, down 55.4% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 30%, with an average annual decrease of 11.2%. The maximum value was 96 million US dollars in 2019, and the largest increase of 49.4% was recorded in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Spain remained the leading supplier of shelled almonds to the United States in value terms, accounting for 73.6% of total imports, with the rest distributed among many other countries.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020