almonds

The value of US horticultural exports is forecast to rise to a record US$37bn next year up US$2.9bn from 2014, reports the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Fresh fruit and vegetable shipments are expected to hit a record US$7.9bn, up US$200m. While processed fruit and vegetables are forecast at US$8.1bn, up US$400m.

Whole and processed tree nuts are forecast at US$9.5bn, up US$1.3bn primarily due to continued strong demand from China and Europe for almonds, pistachios and walnuts.

Meanwhile, the USDA has raised its fiscal 2014 agricultural export forecast for the EU by US$500m to US$12.5bn because of higher horticultural exports this year. Tree nut exports in the first nine months of the year already surpassed the level of all of fiscal 2013, with almond, pistachio, and walnut exports all significantly higher, the USDA said.

But this predicted rise in fresh produce exports comes against a background of a forecast fall in agricultural exports.

Agricultural exports in fiscal 2015 are forecast at US$144.5bn, down U$8bn from the year before. The forecast for Asia is down US$4.4bn from fiscal 2014, mostly due to lower prices for grains and oilseeds.

The Western Hemisphere is forecast down US$2.2bn, mostly due to Mexico and Brazil. Exports to Europe are down US$800m due to lower exports to Russia, while the Middle East and Africa are down a combined US$600m on reduced grains and soybean prospects.

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