<p>Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh are the major almond growing regions In India. The almond production is almost stagnant in India, in 2001 India produced 1000 tonnes of almond and in 2011 the number increased to 1100 tonnes. According USDA report, the almond production for the marketing year (MY) 2012-13 (August to July) is forecast at 1200 tonnes. In India yield of almond is very low ranging around 1000 to 1500 nuts per tree per year. And shelling rates vary from 20 to 30 percent for hard shell varieties to about 40 percent for thin-shelled varieties.</p> <p><strong>Almond consumption in India</strong></p> <p>In India almonds are an integral part of India’s cultural and culinary heritage, and are considered a prized “brain food” for children. Almonds are also a key ingredient in traditional Indian sweets <em>Mithai</em>, as well as popular for gifting during the Diwali festive season.</p> <p>Chocolate confectionary, bakery and snacking are the three major global categories for almond usage. The ever-expanding middle class and increase in health awareness, has lead the growing consumption of almond in the country in recent years. In India almond consumption has increased by 9.72 per cent in last decade. Indian almond consumption in MY 2012/13 is forecast to increase to 75,000 tonnes, 15 percent higher than the previous year according to GAIN report.</p> <p>India’s almond consumption has grown steadily over the last few years due to growing demand across confectionery, cosmetic, snack, and healthcare products, as well as a rise in nutritional and health awareness about almonds in the country. With increased health awareness among the expanding middle-class population, almonds are finding a place in daily diet as a healthy snack.</p> <p><strong>Almond price in India</strong></p> <p>With refer to above figure the almond kernel prices moving up from October month with the Diwali purchase.</p> <p>California almond have more preference among the consumer than other varieties because of uniform eye shape, sweetness.</p> <p><strong>Trade</strong></p> <p>More than 95% of almonds consumed by Indians are imported with more than 80% of imports being sourced from California. The other major country from which India imports almonds is Australia.</p> <p>India imports almonds with shells and processes it domestically to obtain shelled almonds, unlike almost all other importing nations, which import shelled almonds. This is due to availability of cheap labor and better appearance and lesser losses in manual shelling of almonds as against mechanized shelling. Most of the manual shelling of almonds in India is undertaken at Mumbai and New Delhi, from where the shelled almonds are transported to other consumption centres.</p> <p>The Indian festival season extending from September to December is the peak consumption period for almonds, with maximum demand witnessed in November. Thus heavy imports of new Californian almonds are seen from September to meet the strong domestic demand during the festival season. Imports from Australia pick up during April and May after the harvesting season in that country.</p> <p>The almond import has increased from 24900 tonnes in 2001-02 to 74634 at a growth rate of 10.96 per cent (CAGR). As per USDA GAIN report Indian almond imports are forecast to reach 80,000 tonnes in MY 2012/13, up 7.2 percent from the previous year. In India, most almonds are sold by weight in loose form, and only about 5 percent of retail sales are in package form.</p> <p>Major Indian trading centres for almond are Mumbai and New Delhi.</p> <p>Fig: Production, import and consumption of almond in India</p> <p>* 2012 forecast values</p> <p><strong>Table: Production, Supply and Demand Data Statistics of almond</strong></p> <table border="1" cellspacing="0" style="width:330.0pt"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width:159.0pt"> <p> </p> </td> <td style="width:67.0pt"> <p>2010-11</p> </td> <td style="width:52.0pt"> <p>2011-12</p> </td> <td style="width:52.0pt"> <p>2012-13</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:159.0pt"> <p>Area Planted (ha)</p> </td> <td style="width:67.0pt"> <p>19,000</p> </td> <td style="width:52.0pt"> <p>19,000</p> </td> <td style="width:52.0pt"> <p>19,000</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:159.0pt"> <p>Area Harvested (ha)</p> </td> <td style="width:67.0pt"> <p>17,000</p> </td> <td style="width:52.0pt"> <p>17,000</p> </td> <td style="width:52.0pt"> <p>17,000</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:159.0pt"> <p>Bearing Trees (% age)</p> </td> <td style="width:67.0pt"> <p>85</p> </td> <td style="width:52.0pt"> <p>85</p> </td> <td style="width:52.0pt"> <p>85</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:159.0pt"> <p>Non-Bearing Trees (% age)</p> </td> <td style="width:67.0pt"> <p>15</p> </td> <td style="width:52.0pt"> <p>15</p> </td> <td style="width:52.0pt"> <p>15</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:159.0pt"> <p>Beginning Stocks (tonnes)</p> </td> <td style="width:67.0pt"> <p>11,933</p> </td> <td style="width:52.0pt"> <p>13,133</p> </td> <td style="width:52.0pt"> <p>23,833</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:159.0pt"> <p>Production (tonnes)</p> </td> <td style="width:67.0pt"> <p>1,200</p> </td> <td style="width:52.0pt"> <p>1,100</p> </td> <td style="width:52.0pt"> <p>1,200</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:159.0pt"> <p>Imports (tonnes)</p> </td> <td style="width:67.0pt"> <p>54,000</p> </td> <td style="width:52.0pt"> <p>74,600</p> </td> <td style="width:52.0pt"> <p>80,000</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:159.0pt"> <p>Total Supply (tonnes)</p> </td> <td style="width:67.0pt"> <p>67,133</p> </td> <td style="width:52.0pt"> <p>88,833</p> </td> <td style="width:52.0pt"> <p>105,033</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:159.0pt"> <p>Exports (tonnes)</p> </td> <td style="width:67.0pt"> <p>0</p> </td> <td style="width:52.0pt"> <p>0</p> </td> <td style="width:52.0pt"> <p>0</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:159.0pt"> <p>Domestic Consumption (tonnes)</p> </td> <td style="width:67.0pt"> <p>54,000</p> </td> <td style="width:52.0pt"> <p>65,000</p> </td> <td style="width:52.0pt"> <p>75,000</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:159.0pt"> <p>Ending Stocks (tonnes)</p> </td> <td style="width:67.0pt"> <p>13,133</p> </td> <td style="width:52.0pt"> <p>23,833</p> </td> <td style="width:52.0pt"> <p>30,033</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:159.0pt"> <p>Total Distribution (tonnes)</p> </td> <td style="width:67.0pt"> <p>67,133</p> </td> <td style="width:52.0pt"> <p>88,833</p> </td> <td style="width:52.0pt"> <p>105,033</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>To sum up: With increased awareness abut the nutritional aspects of almond; the consumption of almond has been increasing in the country. But India depending on the other countries to meet its consumption demand as the production of almond in the country is very less compared to its consumption. Hence there is a need to increase the almond consumption.</p>