The nuts they are in charge of satiating hunger between meals. Who doesn't love a good handful of peanuts or pistachios? They are small delicacies of spectacular flavor capable of delighting everyone. However, there are some who are in a serious production problem. Among them, the almond harvest, which has descended notably in the last year. Do you want to know what the causes of this panorama that they have to face? Solving all these problems is of vital importance to recover this fruit in important danger.
When does the almond harvest take place?
Before beginning to expose the main problems that this dried fruit goes through, you have to know when is it collected. On the one hand, there are the early and extra-early varieties that are the first to bloom. And, the collection date is between the beginning of August and first of September. Although, this is only normal in places with a Mediterranean or subtropical climate.
By contrast, there are late almond varieties. These flower later but their maturation is earlier than the previous ones. The producers proceed to their collection between July and August. But, the most normal thing is that you do not know what variety of almond tree you have. Or, farmers just don't know how the weather is going to behave. Therefore, the previous data would not be true. Therefore, the almond harvestIn these cases, it should be done towards the second half of summer.
Almond harvest problems
The serious panorama that can be glimpsed in terms of almond harvest has been studied by Union of Farmers and Ranchers Unions. And it is that, this organization affirms that the production is going to be reduced around a 20% compared to last year. Although, there are other institutions that are more pessimistic. In addition, it is important to know that autonomous communities such as Castilla la Mancha, Aragon or Catalonia would have drops of up to 50%.
This bad data could come from adverse weather conditions of spring. Although, also for the serious and complicated phytosanitary problems from last season. Which have resulted in lower production. It should be noted that Andalusia and Extremadura would experience very slight growth.
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Prices and the Californian danger
Unión de Uniones considers that what most influences the almond market is the Californian variety. And its consequent speculation. This the most dangerous point in everything that surrounds this dried fruit, regardless of a greater or lesser production. And it is that, the production of American food has increased in an accentuated way during the last decade. And even the surface cultivation does not stop growing.
This important aspect, together with the problem of half price of the almond, makes the picture quite bleak. In fact, the value has descended up to 38% from the previous campaign. And, this is not only there. The price variation that the almond has suffered in recent months makes discouragement among producers. Who will be forced to abandon many traditional farms rainfed due to loss of income.
Possible solutions for almond harvest
From the aforementioned Union of Unions organization they have proposed different options to solve this serious problem. In the first place, both the European Union and the State must make policies that favor the National Production. Plus put it in value in front of competitors and consumers. On the other hand, it is very important that State aid is recovered for the traditional plantations low performance. As well as the maintenance of the aid for the conservation of the cultivation of the organic almond.
Along with all this, it is essential that they start promotion policies of the traditional Spanish almond. And above all, prioritize the acquisition, consumption and enjoyment of the product of national origin. In this way, it will be possible to help all those industrial productions that have almonds as main component and essential.
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Do you think that the problems that affect the almond harvest have a solution? You have already been able to verify that with everyone's help they could reach a better situation. You have to take care of the national product. It is the one with the highest quality and flavor and with which you can spend great summer afternoons.