From Import Substitution to Self-Sufficiency: How Much Profit Can Almonds Generate?

A Gold Mine in Nut Growing

Ukraine is a 100% net importer of almonds. Despite the population outflow, almond imports continue to grow and have reached pre-war levels. According to the Ukrainian Nut Association, 4,201 tonnes of shelled almonds worth €23 million were imported last year.

«This is the volume that could be produced in Ukraine. Currently, state support of UAH 400,000/ha is available for establishing an almond orchard, while the grower must invest the same amount. This programme operates in 16 regions of the country,» Hennadii Yudin, President of the Ukrainian Nut Association, said during the webinar «Almonds in Ukraine — New Opportunities for Agribusiness 2026.»

The Association has been studying commercial almond varieties for many years. A research plot in Odesa Region was established back in 2017. The main research centre is located in Svitlovodsk on the 49th parallel. Together with agricultural institutions in Mykolaiv and Odesa, the Ukrainian Nut Association is studying 13 Spanish almond varieties there.

Plantations and Demand Are Growing

• The leading almond-producing countries are the United States, Australia and Spain. These three countries supply 90% of total production.
• From 2015 to 2024, the total global almond planting area increased from 640,000 ha to 830,000 ha. At the same time, there is still a significant deficit and shortage of almonds.
• Over the past decade, consumption has grown steadily: from 1.1 million tonnes in 2015 to 1.8 million tonnes in 2024. Demand is increasing in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
• The popularity of almonds is associated with healthy eating trends. Only 5–7% of nuts are consumed as a table product, while the vast majority goes for processing, where almonds are used not only in food products such as flour and alternative milk, but also in cosmetics.

This year, Viveros Verón sold seedlings to four customers in different regions of Ukraine, including Odesa, Kirovohrad and Vinnytsia regions. According to Maria Magdeles, the main risk factor in the almond business is choosing the wrong varieties. For Ukraine, she recommends late varieties with late flowering periods, which minimises weather-related risks. Hard-shell varieties are more stable, and processing plants are designed specifically for hard-shell nuts.

It is also important to choose the right rootstock, taking the soil into account. Viveros Verón uses hybrid rootstocks, namely GF677 and GARNEM.

Almond Orchard Planning Depends on the Harvesting Method

Intensive systems began developing around 25 years ago, so there is still limited information on their productive lifespan. In general, an almond orchard can produce a crop for up to 40 years.

«Super-intensive planting is a system that makes it possible to reach production faster. As early as the third year, we begin to obtain commercial volumes that can be brought to market,» Maria Magdeles explained.

Extensive planting involves 277 seedlings per hectare, with an average shelled yield of 1,400 kg/ha, and is designed for 40 years. Intensive planting (727 seedlings/ha) and super-intensive planting (2,285 seedlings/ha) provide yields of 2,400 kg/ha and 2,000 kg/ha, respectively.

Almond prices in Europe currently stand at €5–5.5/kg. The calibre and shape of the nut determine its price.

Full Mechanisation

In addition to flexible adaptation to climate challenges, another advantage of almonds is the possibility of almost complete mechanisation of all processes — from pruning to harvesting. During the first years, formative pruning is carried out, followed by rejuvenation pruning. A compact tree with uniform access to light needs to be formed so that it is as convenient as possible for mechanisation.

«We are seeing a transition from traditional manual pruning to mechanical technologies. More and more growers today take mechanisation into account from the very beginning when establishing an orchard,» noted Olha Ashykhmina, a representative of ID David.

Mechanised harvesting is also predominant today. There are two types of nut harvesting: without contact with the ground, when the fruit is shaken into special baskets, and harvesting from the ground, which is cheaper and faster. It is important that row spacing and the planting pattern are also designed for mechanisation from the outset.

Although almonds are successfully grown under rainfed conditions, and old non-irrigated orchards predominate in Spain in particular, it is better to establish irrigated plantations in order to minimise weather-related risks.

Svitlana Tsybulska, AgroPortal.ua