Almond Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Shelled Type,Inshell Type), By Application (Direct Edible,Food Processing,Kitchen Ingredients), Regional Insights and Forecast to 2033

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Almond Market Overview

The Almond Market size was valued at USD 8627.07 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 13160.04 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2025 to 2033.

 

The almond market has demonstrated substantial growth driven by increased global consumption across multiple sectors including direct snacking, food processing, and ingredient applications. In 2024, global almond production reached approximately 1.74 million metric tons, up from 1.66 million metric tons in 2023. The United States alone contributed over 1.19 million metric tons, accounting for more than 68% of total global production.

Spain followed with 384,000 metric tons, while Australia recorded 152,000 metric tons. In terms of consumption, global almond demand reached over 1.71 million metric tons in 2024, reflecting an increase of 6.8% from the previous year. Direct edible consumption represented 46% of total demand, while food processing and ingredient applications accounted for 32% and 22% respectively. The almond trade volume exceeded 900,000 metric tons, with the United States exporting more than 625,000 metric tons. Increasing awareness about nutritional benefits, such as high vitamin E content (25.6 mg per 100 g) and healthy fat profile, has significantly influenced consumer buying behavior. With emerging demand from Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, the almond market is witnessing broader geographic diversification and higher import dependency in non-producing countries.

Key Findings

Top Driver reason: Rising global demand for plant-based protein-rich snacks and ingredients.

Top Country/Region: United States remained the largest almond producer with over 1.19 million metric tons in 2024.

Top Segment: Shelled almonds dominated the market with 1.3 million metric tons consumed globally in 2024.

Almond Market Trends

The almond market in 2023–2024 exhibited several prominent trends that shaped both production and consumption patterns. One of the strongest trends is the shift toward healthier snacking habits, contributing to a 9.4% rise in global direct edible almond consumption, reaching over 790,000 metric tons in 2024. In the U.S., per capita almond consumption increased from 3.1 kg in 2023 to 3.3 kg in 2024. Asia-Pacific saw almond imports rise by 12.6%, led by China and India which collectively imported over 182,000 metric tons.

Another important trend is the surge in almond use within dairy alternatives and plant-based nutrition products. In 2024, over 110,000 metric tons of almonds were used for almond milk production globally. The U.S. accounted for 54% of this figure, with almond milk demand growing due to lactose intolerance prevalence, which affects over 65% of the global population.

Sustainability and traceability have also gained traction. Approximately 35% of almond farms in California implemented drip irrigation systems by 2024, reducing water usage by 22% per acre compared to 2020. Moreover, blockchain-enabled traceability systems were adopted by more than 90 almond suppliers to track nut origin and supply chain transparency.

In the confectionery and bakery sector, almond-based product launches rose by 11% worldwide, with over 2,700 new SKUs introduced. These included almond butter cookies, almond-based protein bars, and chocolate-coated almond snacks. Packaging innovations such as resealable pouches also contributed to higher repeat purchases and longer shelf stability.

Furthermore, the almond cosmetics segment expanded, with over 14,000 metric tons of almonds diverted for oil extraction in 2024. This was mainly driven by growth in natural skincare products in Europe and North America. The emerging trend of clean-label and organic almonds is reflected in the 21% increase in certified organic almond exports in 2024 compared to the previous year.

Almond Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Rising demand for plant-based nutrition.

The rising demand for plant-based, high-protein, and healthy fat food options has been a significant driver of the almond market. Almonds contain approximately 21.2 g of protein and 49.9 g of fat per 100 g, with over 62% as monounsaturated fats. Their health benefits, including cholesterol reduction and improved satiety, have led to increased consumption in both developed and developing economies. In 2024, over 790,000 metric tons of almonds were consumed as direct snacks, marking a 9.4% increase from the previous year. More than 74 million households globally incorporated almonds in their weekly diet, highlighting their universal acceptance. Retailers reported a 14% increase in shelf-space allocation for almonds across supermarkets and health stores, reinforcing their growing demand.

RESTRAINT

Climatic dependency and water-intensive cultivation

Almond cultivation is highly water-intensive and climate-sensitive, posing a major restraint. In California, where more than 80% of U.S. almonds are grown, almond trees require approximately 1.1 gallons of water per almond. Severe droughts in 2023 reduced water allocation to almond orchards by 26%, leading to a 5.2% drop in yields per acre. In Australia, a 9.7% reduction in irrigation resources caused a delay in almond harvesting in key regions such as Victoria and New South Wales. Extreme weather conditions, including late spring frost in Spain and increased temperatures in California, resulted in significant bloom losses in over 19,000 hectares of almond plantations. This vulnerability discourages expansion in certain regions, limiting production scalability.

OPPORTUNITY

Expansion in almond-based product categories

The development of almond-based products such as milk, flour, butter, and oil has opened new growth avenues. In 2024, almond milk production utilized over 110,000 metric tons of almonds, almond butter over 38,000 metric tons, and almond flour over 31,000 metric tons. Product penetration into new verticals such as infant nutrition, energy drinks, and ready-to-eat meals has surged. For example, over 380 new almond-infused snack products were launched in Asia-Pacific alone in 2024. Growth in online grocery platforms also facilitated international reach, with over 40% of almond-based snacks sold via e-commerce channels. Functional almond ingredients such as defatted flour and concentrated almond protein isolates have created a high-value submarket for nutraceuticals and dietary supplements.

CHALLENGE

Price volatility and export dependency.

Almond prices are subject to frequent fluctuations due to unpredictable supply, water availability, and global trade uncertainties. In 2024, global almond average prices saw a 17% fluctuation between January and October. Trade restrictions and tariff revisions impacted shipments to China and Turkey, leading to 11% year-over-year variation in export volume. California growers faced reduced returns due to shipping delays at ports, affecting over 120,000 metric tons of exports in the first half of 2024. Furthermore, almond production remains concentrated in limited geographies, with the U.S., Spain, and Australia accounting for more than 87% of global supply. This concentration poses supply chain risks and affects global price stability

Almond Market Segmentation

The almond market is segmented by type and application. Shelled almonds dominate in both production and consumption due to their convenience and wider usability. Inshell almonds are preferred in seasonal and festive consumption patterns, especially in Asia and the Middle East. Applications are spread across direct edible use, food processing, and kitchen ingredients.

By Type

• Shelled Type: accounted for over 1.3 million metric tons in 2024, representing 76% of total global almond consumption. These are predominantly used in snacking, confectionery, and dairy alternative products. The U.S. exported over 510,000 metric tons of shelled almonds, with India, China, and Germany being top importers. Shelled almonds offer immediate use and less storage space, making them ideal for foodservice and retail.
• Inshell Type: Inshell almonds represented approximately 440,000 metric tons of global demand in 2024. Popular in festive gifting and seasonal snacking, inshell almonds saw strong demand in countries like India, Iran, and UAE, which together imported over 275,000 metric tons. Inshell almonds have longer shelf life and are considered traditional offerings in religious and cultural events across Asia and the Middle East.

By Application

• Direct Edible: consumption led the market with over 790,000 metric tons in 2024. More than 210,000 metric tons were sold in raw form, while roasted, salted, and flavored variants made up the rest. The U.S., China, and Germany were top retail consumers, with combined sales exceeding 380,000 metric tons.
• Food Processing: accounted for over 550,000 metric tons of almond use. Bakery and confectionery segments used more than 320,000 metric tons, while dairy alternatives such as almond milk and yogurt consumed another 150,000 metric tons globally.
• Kitchen Ingredients: Almond flour, almond paste, and almond oil were used in both industrial and domestic kitchens. This segment accounted for 360,000 metric tons in 2024, with a growing number of consumers adopting almond flour for gluten-free and keto-friendly diets.

Almond Market Regional Outlook

The almond market shows significant regional differences based on production, consumption, and trade behavior. North America remains the largest producer, while Asia-Pacific and Europe are top consumers and importers.

•  North America

Almond production reached 1.21 million metric tons in 2024, with California accounting for over 98% of the total. The U.S. consumed 348,000 metric tons domestically, while exporting 625,000 metric tons. Canada imported over 42,000 metric tons, mainly shelled varieties, with direct edible usage exceeding 27,000 metric tons.

• Europe

Consumed over 412,000 metric tons of almonds in 2024. Spain led production with 384,000 metric tons and exported over 97,000 metric tons. Germany, France, and Italy together imported over 180,000 metric tons, largely used in confectionery and food processing. Almond flour demand rose by 13.4% across gluten-free bakeries in Europe.

• Asia-Pacific

imported over 322,000 metric tons in 2024. India alone imported 141,000 metric tons, followed by China at 84,000 and Japan at 33,000. Inshell almonds were particularly popular during Indian festive seasons, while almond milk sales grew by 19% in China. Retail chains in Asia launched 520+ almond-based snack products in 2024.

• Middle East & Africa

Consumed over 170,000 metric tons of almonds in 2024. The UAE and Saudi Arabia imported over 114,000 metric tons, largely inshell. South Africa consumed 18,000 metric tons, with 6,200 used in skincare and cosmetic manufacturing. Cultural significance and gifting traditions fuel demand in MEA markets.

List of Top Almond Companies

• Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds
• Blue Diamond
• Panoche Creek Packing
• Spycher Brothers
• Select Harvest
• Mariani Nut Company
• Waterford Nut Co
• Treehouse
• Belehris Estates
• California Gold Almonds
• Hilltop Ranch
• Harris Family Enterprises
• D.V.Enterprise
• Harris Woolf California Almonds
• Patrocinio Lax
• Sran Family Orchards

Top Two Companies with Highest Share

Blue Diamond is a dominant player with over 550,000 metric tons of processed almonds in 2024, supplying more than 90 countries and maintaining extensive contracts with food manufacturers and retailers.

Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds followed with over 470,000 metric tons handled in 2024, leading the U.S. export market and serving major clients in Asia and Europe with premium shelled and in-shell almonds.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

In 2024, almond industry investments exceeded $1.2 billion globally, focused on infrastructure, irrigation, processing, and R&D. California-based companies expanded cold storage capacity by 140,000 tons to accommodate growing almond volumes. Over 620 new almond orchards were developed globally, adding approximately 23,000 hectares of new almond plantations across Spain, Australia, and the U.S.

Spain invested over $80 million in drip irrigation and pest-resistant cultivars to improve productivity. Meanwhile, Australia launched an almond industry innovation hub in Victoria, supporting genetic improvement and farm mechanization. India approved duty-free almond imports from two new U.S. ports, increasing trade flow efficiency and reducing transit time by 11 days.

E-commerce investments also surged, with almond product sales across online grocery platforms growing by 26% in 2024. Digital retailers introduced over 180 almond-based SKUs with targeted promotions during festive seasons and health awareness campaigns.

There was also a rise in venture capital funding for startups using almonds in protein-rich formulations, dairy alternatives, and clean-label products. At least 17 companies globally received funding exceeding $270 million to expand almond-derived product lines.

New Product Development

In 2024, over 3,800 new almond-based products were launched globally across snacks, beverages, nutrition bars, and personal care. Notably, Blue Diamond introduced a protein-boosted almond milk variant fortified with 12 g of protein per serving, reaching over 9,000 retail outlets across North America.

Hilltop Ranch developed a ready-to-eat roasted almond line with six global flavors, selling over 2.3 million pouches in under eight months. Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds expanded into almond chocolate clusters with low sugar content, seeing 670,000 units sold within the first quarter of launch.

Cosmetic companies incorporated cold-pressed almond oil in 390 new skincare products, with France, South Korea, and the U.S. leading. India saw the introduction of almond-based baby food in urban centers, recording 12,000 monthly retail units by Q3 of 2024.

Functional beverages with almond protein and almond collagen formulations entered pilot stages in Japan and Germany. New processing techniques such as microfiltration for almond milk purity and high-pressure roasting for flavor enhancement, became mainstream in premium product lines.

Five Recent Developments 

1. Blue Diamond opened a new almond processing plant in Salida, California, with a 120,000-ton annual capacity.
2. Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds signed a trade agreement with India for direct inshell almond shipments exceeding 72,000 metric tons.
3. Spain's Select Harvest launched a solar-powered almond farm covering 2,400 hectares in Catalonia.
4. Harris Woolf California Almonds developed a biodegradable almond packaging film tested in 17 global markets.
5. Treehouse introduced organic almond powder with zero additives, with over 150,000 units sold in 2024.

Report Coverage of Almond Market

This report provides a detailed overview of the global almond market with in-depth analysis of production trends, consumption patterns, international trade, and end-use applications. Covering over 35 producing and importing countries, the report incorporates data from 2023–2024 to illustrate real-time market behavior.

The study segments the market by type (shelled and inshell) and application (direct edible, food processing, and kitchen ingredients), tracking consumption metrics across each. It includes regional performance in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa.

The report evaluates the top 16 global almond companies, with key highlights on Blue Diamond and Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds. It also identifies new product development trends, investment flows, pricing volatility, and export dependencies.

Using quantitative data, this report outlines key challenges, including climate sensitivity and water resource issues, alongside opportunities in dairy alternatives, nutraceuticals, and emerging markets. The document includes more than 80 data tables, figures, and charts to support strategic decision-making across agriculture, trade, and food manufacturing sectors.

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