The Australian almond industry is undergoing rapid expansion, becoming the fastest growing horticulture industry in Australia. On a percentage basis, Australia is the fastest growing almond industry in the world. Australia is the third largest producer of almonds in the world, behind dominant global leaders USA (80%) and Spain

Total Australian almond acreage has increased seven-fold over the past eight years, from 9,000 planted acres (3,650 hectares) in 1999 to more than 64,000 acres (26,000 hectares) in 2007. Less than 15% of the industry’s plantings have reached full maturity and greater than half of all plantings are less than three years (non-bearing)

Australian almonds are already well received in more than 30 countries, and a large proportion of the expected expansion in Australian almond production will be exported. The industry has a current farm gate value of approximately $180 million and is anticipated increase to around $500 million by 2015.

Production areas are predominately located in Murray Darling Basin, with producing areas continuing to expand along the Murray River corridor.

Key growing areas:
Sunraysia (VIC)
Riverland (SA)
Adelaide (SA)
And more recently increased level of plantings in Riverina (NSW)

Table 1: Major Australian almond growing regions