The California Almond Board has released the December shipment report with shipments of +156 million pounds compared to last year  135 million pounds for an increase of  +15.4 percent.  New sales during the month of December were at +103.9 million pounds during the month of December.

YEAR TO DATE SHIPMENTS:   +950 million pounds compared to 707 million pounds last year for an increase of +34 percent.

               

                                Percent up Year to date

USA                       +12.9

Export                   +45.85%

CHINA                  +49%

Korea                    +44%

India                      +41%

Germany             +26%

Spain                     +21%

Turkey                  +180%

UAE                       +111%

CROP RECEIPTS:   Now at +2.06  billion pounds compared to last year’s crop of  1.85 billion pounds for an increase of +11.44  percent.  It appears the final crop will reach approximately +2.10 to +2.12 billion pounds. 

CURRENCY:  The dollars continues to strengthen against most major currencies.  The 1 Euro is at $1.05 dollars.

RAIN:  The major story in California is not almond shipments but the volume of rain we have received during the past week!!!  All rivers are near flood stage in the northern California areas.  Snow is arriving into the high Sierra mountains.  In some areas up to 10 feet ( 3 meters) of snow will have been received during this two week storm.  Ski areas in Tahoe now have a base of 80 inches to 110 inches of snow.  Some areas in northern California are experience flooding which goes back almost 100 years.  Here are some updates for you:

Area                      Rain Season to date        Normal to date   Last year            Average Annual Total

Sacramento        15.57 inches                       8.25 inches          5.76 inches          20.27 inches

Thus we are double our normal pace for rains this year and almost received 75% of our annual totals already!

Reservoirs are filling at a record speed:

Area                      Percent filled     Compared to Normal Level at this time of year

Shasta                   78%                        122%

Oroville                69%                        110%

Folsom                 64%                        128%

Reservoirs are above averaged filled already for mid-January.

MARKETS: During the month of December many markets were extremely active in buying for their first quarter needs.  Middle East, Europe, India, and USA were all active in buying in December.  Prices have eased slightly during the past few weeks which has stimulated more demand. With each additional rain, ore growers/packers have been motivated to sell some of their inventories.  Most packers are reaching a 70% sold position on this crop and 60% sold overall for the industry when including the carry in.  By April/May the industry will begin to run light on good quality Extra #1 and NP Inshell as both have been heavily sold already.

JANUARY: Most packers are expecting stronger shipments in January this year compared to last year.  We could see shipments up 15-25% over last year.