Spain 12/06/2023

Almond cultivation gains popularity in the province of Córdoba

 

The significant growth of almond cultivation was observed in the province of Córdoba in 2022. Almond tree plantations covered an area of 14,005 hectares, exceeding those of citrus that reached 12,000 hectares, according to recent data from the Ministry of Agriculture of Spain. The expansion is attributed to the profitability of this crop.

In the past, the primary almond production areas in Andalusia were Granada and Almería, with a combined total of 140,000 hectares. However, these regions relied on rainfed farming methods, resulting in lower yields compared to irrigated fields in Córdoba. Rainfed almond trees typically produced around 200 kilograms of shelled fruit per hectare, whereas irrigated almond trees in Córdoba could achieve up to 1,000 kilograms per hectare.

The high productivity of irrigated almond cultivation is complemented by favorable market prices. The average price for shelled almond kernels stands at around 3 euros per kilogram, although prices have reached 7 to 8 euros in some instances. This price surge has sparked an interest among farmers, who have been able to gross around 16,000 euros per hectare during peak periods.

Today, the irrigable almond cultivation is being developed in the region of Genil-Cabra, the Guadalquivir Valley, particularly the Vega area, as well as other rural areas in Córdoba.