The first quarter of India’s market year (MY) 2021/2022 (August-July) almond production was estimated at 4,500 metric tons (MT) (kernel weight basis), the same as last year. India’s Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh state dominate almond production. Among the most commonly grown varieties are Shalimar, Makdoon, Waris, and Kagazi.
Due to its high yield and late blooming characteristics, Kashmir’s local horticultural department promotes the Kagazi (thin-shell) variety. Hard-shelled varieties shed between 20 and 30 percent, while thin-shelled varieties shed 40 percent.
With its Almond Development program, the Jammu and Kashmir territorial government aims to increase almond cultivation in the region from 12,000 to higher as well as introduce higher-yielding cultivars. There is, however, only one almond nursery under development in the Shopian district as of 2021.
After the second wave of COVID-19, India’s almond demand is expected to remain high due to the domestic economy’s recovery and an increase in consumer spending. India’s hotel, restaurant, and institutional sector (HRI) is expected to increase almond consumption, which will offset some of the drop in retail demand. Both the current market and the forecast years will see a return to traditional consumer activities, including outdoor events, weddings, and festive ceremonies, as well as dining out. In anticipation of this year’s festive season, almond sales are expected to remain strong through the end of 2021.
With the growth of business and corporate gifting rituals, wholesale sales are expected to rebound. In India’s COVID-19 second wave, almonds’ nutrition benefits, with their “immunity-building characteristics,” were widely lauded.
Combined with hyperlocal grocery delivery companies (such as Amazon, Big Basket, Flipkart, and Nature’s Basket), eCommerce plays a key role in stimulating almond consumption. A new supply chain, combined with consumer awareness of perceived health benefits, will drive the consumption of almonds in the food processing, personal care, and Ayurveda industries. Further demand growth will come from the use of almonds in breakfast cereal bars, snack foods, flavored dairy products, processed beverages, and confectionaries.
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