<p></p><p>Last year, Almeria's dried fruit sector exported 3.66 million kilos of almonds in 134 business operations; a 5% increase in volume compared to 2012. Furthermore, thanks to the behaviour of prices in foreign markets, the turnover amounted to 22.85 million Euro, 45.2% more than in the previous campaign. In terms of value, Almeria's dried fruit sector is the largest in Andalusia and the fifth largest in Spain, with a 6.1% share in the domestic market, as stressed by the regional delegate of Andalusia's Council of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment, José Manuel Ortiz.Germany, which in recent years had been the main destination for the province's almonds, was replaced by Italy in 2013, which invested 9.2 million Euro and received 40.4% of all exports. German imports, valued at 8.7 million Euro, represent 38.4%. Other destinations include France, Greece, the United Kingdom, the United States, Algeria and Lebanon.</p> <p>In 2013, Almeria's companies also increased their import volumes, with purchases valued at 9.14 million Euro; 285% more than in 2012. The United States was the largest supplier (86.3%) and another 10.5% was imported from Germany, according to data provided by Icex.Last year, Almeria's dried fruit sector harvested 6,600 tonnes of almonds, which meant a 25.7% reduction in production volumes; nevertheless, this drop led to prices increasing by up to 66% (1.7 Euro/kilo), to levels twice as high as the average of the past five years. Consequently, the total value of the province's almond production amounted to 11.34 million Euro, 23.5% more than in 2012. </p><p> </p><br><p></p>