It is believed that the first almond trees arrived in the Iberian Peninsula with the Phoenicians. However, it was the Romans who truly drove their cultivation forward.

The current surge in consumption is driven by the substitution of animal proteins with plant-based sources and by almonds’ versatility, as it is used in numerous innovative products including snacks, plant-based drinks, flours and confectionery, amongst others.

Today, almonds are not only one of the most widely consumed nuts worldwide, but Spain has established itself as one of its main producers. What makes our almonds so special?

Below, we will delve into our almonds’ sustainability characteristics, production methods and varieties.

European almonds: a quality, healthy, safe and sustainable product

European almonds stand out as a safe, healthy, sustainable and high-quality product. Foods produced in Europe, including Spanish or Iberian almonds, are subject to strict European standards that guarantee food safety and traceability, offering benefits for both consumers and the environment.

Beyond their health benefits, their production promotes sustainability, protects the environment and improves life in rural areas. Their characteristics support the circular economy and increase their competitiveness in international markets.

The European production model is based on sustainability

The European production model stands out for its commitment to sustainability, protection of the environment, animal welfare and food safety. It is one of the most demanding worldwide, complying with strict agricultural requirements and regulations on the use of plant protection products.

Furthermore, entities associated with SAB-Almendrave and CNCFS, such as Importaco Nuts, comply with the Global Food Safety Initiative, conducting comprehensive analyses to guarantee product quality. They must also adhere to the Code of Conduct for Responsible Food Business and Marketing Practices, thus ensuring ethical and sustainable production.

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The circular economy in the almond sector

The European almond sector opts for the circular economy, making the most of all by-products from almond trees and reducing waste at every production stage.

Almond shells are transformed into high-quality solid biofuel, generating energy from biomass. In addition, the fibre-rich skins are reused in the production of functional foods, thus contributing to more sustainable and efficient production.

Would you like to learn more about this topic? Download the dossier: Nothing from the almond is wasted

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The production and global position of Spanish almonds

Almonds are all the rage and their cultivation has grown significantly worldwide in recent decades, becoming the fruit tree with the largest planted area in the EU (Eurostat data). Within Europe, Spain accounts for 81% of the area cultivated with almond trees¹, which makes it the third largest almond producer globally (7% of world production)², and its second largest exporter.

Looking to the future, almond production in Spain is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.  And what are the reasons for this? Improvements in irrigation, which multiply yields compared to dry farming, new and more advanced almond varieties and increasingly professional management of farms.

Iberian almonds and low-impact agriculture

Almond cultivation in the Iberian Peninsula is an example of sustainable, low-impact agriculture that follows an efficient European model that respects the environment.

Key sustainability factors include:

• Efficient water use through optimised irrigation systems.
• Reduction of chemicals and fertilisers that minimises environmental impact.
• Protection of biodiversity and soil conservation that promote healthy ecosystems.

Furthermore, Iberian almonds strengthen the commitment to more responsible production and contribute to the fight against rural depopulation, generating employment and development in agricultural areas.

Keep reading about sustainable agriculture: What are we (really) talking about when we talk about sustainable agriculture?

Fighting rural depopulation

Almond production has an environmental, economic and social impact. Its cultivation helps establish population in rural areas, boosts entrepreneurship and generates wealth in zones with little economic activity. In regions like Castilla-La Mancha and Aragón, two autonomous communities considered an important part of ‘empty Spain’, almond tree cultivation and production is proving key to combating depopulation, creating jobs and strengthening the local economy.

Sustainability in Mediterranean almond cultivation

Almond tree cultivation in the Mediterranean region offers various sustainable advantages:

1. Climate adaptability: The tree resists drought and high temperatures, which is ideal for hot summers and mild winters.
2. Resource efficiency: It requires little water, favouring better water usage in arid zones.
3. Biodiversity conservation: Its cultivation creates habitats for diverse species of flora and fauna.
4. Low-impact agriculture: It minimises the use of chemicals and prevents soil erosion.

These qualities make the almond tree a sustainable crop that benefits both the environment and rural communities.

Almond varieties in Spain and Portugal and their culinary applications

The Iberian Peninsula cultivates various almond varieties. Thanks to the climate and soil, this nut is easy to grow and a wide range of varieties are produced. Here are the varieties most commonly used in gastronomy and their most common applications:

• Marcona type: The Marcona almond is the most typically Mediterranean variety, highly appreciated in the market thanks to its organoleptic qualities, its pleasant sweet taste and its round shape. It is the variety traditionally used in nougat and marzipan, but it can also be an excellent snack, fried and salted. Within this type of almond we find other varieties such as Belona and Antoñeta.

• Guara type: The Guara variety is a single variety almond with a sweet flavour. It is ideal for use as an ingredient in the production of nougat and ice cream. It is widely used in snacks and confectionery. Within this typology we also distinguish the Marinada, Vairo and Constantí varieties.

• Lauranne type: The Ferragnes variety almond belongs to this segment. Its main characteristic is its colour and large size. Despite its sweet taste, it is highly appreciated as a snack. Within this typology we find the varieties Lauranne, Penta and Marta.

• Largueta type: The Largueta variety is an elongated, flat almond, and is the most suitable variety for the manufacture of peladillas, garrapiñadas and chocolate. It is also widely used for snacks, roasted, natural or salted. Within this typology we also distinguish the Soleta variety.

• Comuna: a mixture of different high quality almonds (Guara, Garrigues…). This Valencian variety is widely used as an ingredient in confectionery.

Each of these varieties has  unique characteristics, offering distinctive qualities for each gastronomic creation in the hospitality industry.

If you fancy learning more about Iberian almond varieties, download our catalogue:

Importaco: Our commitment to sustainability

Importaco is firmly committed to improving the global agri-food system, ensuring healthy and sustainable foods that not only meet society’s expectations, but also promote food security and nutrition for future generations. As part of this strategy, Importaco actively participates in the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) and has implemented a series of practices aimed at reducing the environmental impact of all its operations.

Download the sustainability report

Importaco Terra

Our Importaco Terra initiative reinforces good sustainable practices in almond production, contributing to environmental conservation and the wellbeing of local communities where we operate. This project focuses on our own almond cultivation in Spain and Portugal, with over 550 hectares spread throughout the region, cultivated according to sustainable and regenerative agriculture standards.

Importaco’s 360º quality model

Importaco’s 360º quality model is a comprehensive approach designed to ensure the delivery of safe, nutritious and healthy products to consumers. This model covers four key dimensions: corrective, preventive, predictive and exploratory, managed in a cross-cutting manner to meet quality requirements at all stages of the value cycle.

Sources:

¹ y ². SAB-Almendrave and CNCFS

INC. International Nut & Dried Fruit Council

Sustainability report 2023