Two harvest cycles smooth supply
California's August–October harvest sets the global benchmark price. Australia's February–April harvest is counter-seasonal, giving Indian importers a March–May window of fresh-crop pricing. Brands sourcing year-round should pre-book half from each origin to avoid mid-year stale-stock discounts.
Duty structure shifts the calculation
Kernel almonds (de-shelled) attract 35% BCD; in-shell attracts 100%. Australian almonds also benefit from preferential tariffs under ECTA from 2023 — phased reduction to 25% by 2027.
§ KEY TAKEAWAYS
- 01Pre-book counter-seasonally to smooth stale-stock risk
- 02ECTA preferential tariff makes Australian kernel competitive vs Californian
- 03Nonpareil grade is the spec floor for premium SKUs
- 04Aflatoxin testing per batch is non-negotiable for EU re-export
§ GLOSSARY
Technical jargon, acronyms and scientific terms used in this file — decoded.
- Nonpareil
- Premium almond variety with smooth, light-colour kernel and consistent size; the global pricing reference.
- FOB
- Free On Board — price loaded at origin port, before ocean freight and insurance.
- BCD
- Basic Customs Duty — India's headline import tariff. 35% on kernel almonds.
- ECTA
- India–Australia Economic Cooperation & Trade Agreement; phased tariff cuts on agricultural goods.
- Aflatoxin
- Fungal toxin found on tree nuts; capped at 10 ppb for almonds under FSSAI.
