What is Almond? Why Buy It?
Almonds (Prunus dulcis) are nutrient-rich tree nuts widely cultivated for their edible seeds, which are highly valued for their flavor, health benefits, and versatility in the food industry. Originating from the Middle East and South Asia, Almonds have become one of the most sought-after nuts globally, playing a crucial role in human nutrition and commerce.
Almonds are a powerhouse of essential nutrients, including protein, healthy monounsaturated fats, fiber, vitamins (such as vitamin E and B vitamins), and key minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium. Their rich antioxidant content and heart-friendly fats make them a preferred choice for health-conscious consumers. Studies have shown that regular consumption of Almonds can aid in weight management, improve heart health, and support brain function.
From an economic perspective, Almonds are a premium agricultural commodity with strong global demand. They are widely used in food processing, snacks, confectionery, and dairy alternatives. The growing consumer preference for plant-based foods and natural ingredients has further fueled the demand for Almonds worldwide. Additionally, Almond oil, extracted from Almond seeds, is highly valued in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
Applications/Uses of Almond
Almonds have a wide range of applications across multiple industries due to their exceptional nutrient profile, pleasant taste, and diverse functional properties. Some of their key uses include:
Food Industry
Snacks and Confectionery
Almonds are consumed as raw, roasted, salted, and flavored snacks. They are also used in chocolates, candy bars, nougats, and energy bars.
Baking and Cooking
Ground Almonds, Almond flour, and Almond paste are essential ingredients in baking, used in cakes, cookies, pastries, and desserts like macarons and marzipan.
Almond Butter
A nutritious and creamy spread, Almond butter is widely consumed as an alternative to peanut butter, particularly among health-conscious consumers.
Dairy Alternatives
Almond milk, Almond yogurt, and Almond-based cheeses serve as popular alternatives to dairy products, catering to the growing vegan and lactose-intolerant market.
Almond Oil
Extracted from Almond seeds, Almond oil is used for cooking, salad dressings, and as an ingredient in margarine production.
Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Industry
Skincare Products
Almond oil is a common ingredient in lotions, creams, and serums due to its moisturizing and anti-aging properties.
Hair Care
Almond oil is widely used in shampoos, conditioners, and hair serums for its ability to nourish and strengthen hair.
Medicinal Uses
Almonds contain antioxidants, vitamin E, and healthy fats, which contribute to improved heart health and cognitive function, making them valuable in nutraceutical products.
Industrial Applications
Biofuel Production
Almond oil can be processed into biofuels, offering a sustainable energy alternative.
Cosmetics and Perfumery
Almond extracts are used in the formulation of fragrances, essential oils, and luxury cosmetic products.
Top Producing/Exporting Countries of Almond
Almond production is concentrated in regions with a Mediterranean climate, characterized by warm summers and mild winters. The leading Almond-producing and exporting countries include:
United States
The U.S. is the world’s largest producer and exporter of Almonds, accounting for approximately 80% of global production. California dominates the country’s Almond production, exporting large quantities to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Spain
Spain is the largest Almond producer in Europe, cultivating high-quality Almonds, particularly in regions such as Andalusia, Catalonia, and Valencia. Spanish Almonds are highly valued for their unique taste and organic production methods.
Australia
Australia is a major Almond exporter, primarily supplying markets in Asia and Europe. The country’s Almond industry has grown rapidly due to favorable climate conditions and advanced farming techniques.
Iran
Iran has a long history of Almond cultivation and is known for its high-quality, naturally grown Almonds. Iranian Almonds are exported mainly to neighboring Middle Eastern and Asian countries.
Italy
Italy produces premium Almond varieties, with Sicilian Almonds being particularly famous for their distinct flavor. The country’s Almond production supports both domestic consumption and exports to European markets.
Turkey
Turkey is an emerging Almond producer, expanding its cultivation areas to meet the rising demand in both domestic and international markets.
Top Importing Countries of Almond
Several countries import Almonds in large quantities to meet their domestic consumption and food processing requirements. The top Almond-importing nations include:
India
India is the largest importer of Almonds, primarily sourcing from the U.S. The growing middle class, increasing health awareness, and cultural preference for nuts in traditional sweets drive high demand.
European Union (EU)
Countries such as Germany, France, and the Netherlands are major importers of Almonds, using them extensively in snacks, confectionery, and baking.
China
China imports significant quantities of Almonds, primarily from the U.S. and Australia, for consumption in snacks and food processing.
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The UAE is a major re-export hub for Almonds, supplying other Middle Eastern countries with high-quality imported Almonds.
Japan
Japan imports premium Almonds for use in confectionery, food processing, and health food products.
Canada
Canada has a growing demand for Almonds, especially for use in healthy snacks, plant-based dairy alternatives, and baked goods.
South Korea
South Korea is another major consumer of Almonds, importing them primarily for use in snacks, confectionery, and nutritional products.
International Price of Almond Per Metric Ton
The unit price ($ per MT) of Almond in the international market depends on a host of different factors including:
- The grade of the produce (usually the more the processing, the higher the price)
- The price of the raw material
- Age of the seeds (this can affect the price)
- Production levels in producing countries
- Economic conditions and the exchange rates between the currencies of the producing and importing countries.
- The quantity ordered (the greater the quantity, the cheaper you can get it per ton)
- Harvest season (it is more costly when it is out of harvest season).
- Weather conditions (some commodities are sensitive to weather conditions).
- Freight & haulage cost
- Percentage of markup
- Import duties, trade tariffs and trade agreements between countries
- Distance from the country of origin
- Technology/Infrastructure available in country of origin
- Relationship between the buyer and seller
That said, as at March 2025, Almond costs between $4500 and $6500 Per Metric Ton (1,000 kilograms) in the international market (i.e. $4.5/kg to $6.5/kg).
How To Safely Source for Your Almond Produce
If you find the right export company, buying directly from them can make the purchase process easy and stress-free, when compared with doing the sourcing on your own. That said, there are few things to note when dealing with an export company in Nigeria or Africa. The specific requirements for Nigeria are listed below, but they mostly apply to other African countries:
- The exporting company must be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to make sure the company is registered and permitted to carry out business
- The export company must also be registered with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).
- The company must possess a domiciliary account to accept international
The company should get all necessary export-related documentation done before the shipment leaves the port of origin. Some of the documents are:
- Certificate of origin
- Bill of lading
- Inspection Certificate (SGS, Cotecna, Bureau Veritas, Intertek, etc)
- Phytosanitary certificate
- Fumigation certificate
Where To Find Reliable Exporters
An important question that still needs to be answered is how to find Almond exporters in Nigeria. You can use any of the methods listed below:
- Attend trade fairs
- Use search engines like Google, Yahoo,
- Search for agents on Linkedln
- Sign up on trade platforms (e.g. Alibaba, Tradeford, Go4WorldBusiness)
- Neogric – Neogric is one of the reliable Almond exporters in Neogric is rated among the best in the exporting business in Nigeria. The company is not limited to the exportation of Almond alone but can export other agricultural produce ranging from perishables to dry seeds.
How To Pay For Your Almond Produce
You can pay for Almond using different methods, but three of the popular ways of paying for your agric produce are:
- Bank (T/T) Payment
- Advance Payment
- Letter of Credit (LC)
Bank Payment (T/T)
Bank payment is also known as T/T, “Telegraphic Transfer” or “Telex Transfer” In other words, it is an international wire of funds from the buyer’s bank to the seller’s bank.
A T/T is technically not the same as a wire transfer, which is often done through the SWIFT network. However, when a seller or supplier asks for a T/T payment, a wire transfer is what they are really asking for.
The wire transfer based on the SWIFT system is the most common payment method in international trade. Typically, it takes 1-5 working days to clear, and generally costs between 25 and 50 USD, depending on your agreement with the commercial department in your bank.
Advance Payment
There are sellers that will demand anywhere from 30% to 50% advance payment, and for good reason. If both parties have done deals in the past, sellers can ask for a percentage of the sales (about 30%) before they ship the produce and they can request for the remaining amount after a scanned copy of the Bill of Lading has been sent to the buyer.
It is the safest option for exporters and it also guarantees that they will have some funds to help with sourcing. It is popular among manufacturers on B2B marketplaces like Alibaba and also with commodity traders.
However, advance payment carries considerable risk for the importer (buyer) because the exporter (seller) might not be under as much pressure to ensure quality checks compared with a stricter form of payment. Some might even disappear entirely.
Having said that, advance payment is very useful and is widely used. For instance, the seller might need to secure the commodity in the face of increased competition. It can also be used when the exporter needs some money for sourcing the produce or for processing raw materials.
The most important thing is for both importer and exporter to build mutual trust by having a track record of successful deals with each other or other known companies.
Letter of Credit
Letter of Credit is an agreement generated by the bank of the buyer, guaranteeing payment once certain conditions are met. It is one of the safest types of payment available to both buyer and seller.
Some of the types of Letter of credit are:
- Commercial Letter of Credit,
- Sight Letter of Credit
- Transferrable or Non-Transferable Letter of Credit
- Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC)
- Usance or Deferred Payment Letter of Credit
- Revocable or Irrevocable Letter of Credit
- Confirmed or Unconfirmed Letter of Credit
- Revolving Letter of Credit
- Green Clause Letter of Credit
- Red Clause Letter of Credit
L/Cs are not totally safe (for either buyer or seller) too. For instance, sellers can ship substandard products or those that are different from the ones agreed upon. In this case, the seller gets paid and the buyer receives goods he cannot use.
And speaking of the dangers of L/Cs for the exporter, the conditions in the Letter of credit might be practically impossible to fulfil; if an exporter agrees to such, he might be unable to receive payment. A report stated that of the letters of credit received in the UK, 50% are unworkable while 70% are rejected by the banks for payment.
Shipping & Delivery Terms
When shipping your products, it is important to take note of a few factors:
Order Quantity
For smaller shipments, airfreight is often the preferred option but as the order volume increases, sea freight could become significantly cheaper. Usually when the order is close to a full container load (20 ft), sea freight is used. Although the Covid-19 pandemic caused an increase in cost of delivery of products, prices have stabilised.
Cost of Delivery
When the order is of a large volume, sea freight often turns out cheaper than air freight. In fact, air freight could be up to 6 times more costly than sea freight if the volume is large enough.
Time of Delivery
Sometimes, time will be more important to the buyer than the cost of delivering the product. In this case, air freight will be the logical option (as stated above, the cost will be more). But if you have more time as a buyer, you should strongly consider using sea freight.
Incoterms
Incoterms refer to generally accepted shipping and payments terms. For example, buyers that have representatives in the source country or that can negotiate with the freight company can use the Free of Board (FOB) terms, since it gives them more control and can save them some money.
However, if the shipment is small or the buyer doesn’t have an extensive network to effectively handle payment for freight, insurance and port charges, he will be better off choosing the Cost-Insurance-Freight (CIF) payment option.
Neogric: Top Exporters and Suppliers of Almond
We invite you to place your order for high-quality Almond with us at Neogric. We are a trusted global commodity sourcing and trade solution provider with deep expertise in the Almond industry. Whether you’re a small business or a large corporation, our wide range of products and technology powered, end-to-end supply chain make the export of quality Almond easy, quick and safe. Whichever region of the world you are, be it Europe, Asia, USA, Canada, Other North/Central American countries, Africa, South America or Oceania, you can reliably order your agricultural produce and we will ensure it is successfully delivered to you, on time.
Why Buy Almond From Neogric?
Choosing Neogric as your Almond supplier offers several advantages:
- Quality Assurance: We maintain strict quality control standards, ensuring our Almond and other products are of the highest quality.
- Wide Product Range: We offer a diverse selection of products, catering to various
- Reliable Supply Chain: Our efficient technology-powered end-to-end supply chain ensures timely delivery of your orders.
- Expertise and Support: Our team of experts provides valuable insights and support, making your purchasing process smooth and hassle-free.
Our Almond Trade Specifications
- Origin: Nigeria
- Product Name: Almond
- Physical Specification: Based On Buyer’s Specification
- Quantity: Based On Buyer’s Specification
- MOQ: 10 Metric Tonnes
- Trade Process: Ex Works/FOB/CIF
- Admixture/Impurities: Based On Buyer’s Specification
- Inspection: SGS/Cotecna/Intertek/Bureau Veritas
- Packaging: Based On Buyer’s Specification
- Payment Method: TT (Bank Transfer) or L/C
- Shipping Time: 15 to 25 Days After Confirmation of TT or L/C
- Loading Port: Lagos (Nigeria), Abidjan (Cote D’ivoire) or Tema (Ghana)
Expected Shipping Documents
- Bill of Lading
- Certificate of Origin
- SGS Inspection Certificate
- Phytosanitary Certificate
- Fumigation Certificate
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
Place Your Almond Order With Neogric
Contact us today to place your order for high-quality Almond. Our team is ready to assist you with all your procurement needs.
- Tel: +2348147860157
- Email: neo@neogric.com
- WhatsApp: Chat With Us