Starting April 11, almond growers in California are presented with expanded export possibilities to the United Kingdom, following the UK's decision to suspend tariffs on various commodities, including raw kernel and inshell almonds, for a minimum of two years. This development is a result of prolonged collaboration between the Almond Board of California (ABC) and the UK's Nut and Dried Fruit Trade Association (NDFTA).
Prior to this, since the UK's departure from the European Union in 2021, almonds faced tariffs of four percent for in-shell and two percent for raw kernels. Although tariffs for other almond products like roasted almonds, almond flour, and almond paste, which range between eight and 20 percent, will still apply, the suspension of tariffs on raw and in-shell almonds is valid until June 30, 2026, promising enhanced export opportunities for California's almond producers. ABC's senior advisor on trade policy, Keith Schneller, stated: "We plan to work with NDFTA to assess further tariff suspensions in the UK, and with other partners overseas to identify opportunities for additional tariff suspension requests to lower costs for importers and processors and boost demand for California almonds."
Source: agnetwest.com