Australian Almonds Price & Market Conditions

At $8.10/kg, almond prices are providing modest cash flow relief for established orchards, though returns remain well below break-even levels for many operations given the sector's high establishment costs and ongoing irrigation requirements during the current water allocation constraints. Victorian and South Australian growers face the greatest exposure, with South Australia's 42 regional score reflecting particular stress from low soil moisture levels of 8.8% that compound already elevated pumping costs in the Murray River irrigation districts. Financial advisers should immediately review water allocation percentages and forward contracting positions for almond clients, as the 72% water allocation index suggests many growers are operating with reduced irrigation capacity that will directly impact yield potential and per-hectare profitability through the critical nut-fill period.

Australian almond prices held steady at $8.10/kg, edging down just 0.5% as the market consolidated recent gains. Export demand to India, Australia's top market, remains supportive with the harvest now complete and quality assessments finalising. Water allocation indices at 72% provide adequate irrigation security for orchard management, though growers in the Murray Valley face tighter allocations with NSW Murray at just 22% general security. With biosecurity conditions clear and no active disease alerts, the key risk remains water availability heading into the critical spring irrigation period, particularly if seasonal outlooks for below-average winter rainfall materialise across southern growing regions.