German retailer announces that it will sell Iberian almonds instead of Californian ones in its stores
An initiative by Edeka to sell almonds grown in Spain and Portugal instead of Californian almonds in its storers has been welcomed by the sector. The retailer said the move comes in response to consumer demand for more sustainable products.
Welcoming the initiative, Spanish exporter federation Fepex said it would be a boost to European production, which is located mainly in Spain and Portugal.
Edeka said switching to Spanish and Portuguese almonds would cut transport distances and a potentially lower its CO₂ footprint. It added that “production within the European Union is subject to strict environmental and social standards, which promotes transparency and strengthens consumer confidence”.
In 2023, Germany imported 101,000 tonnes of almonds, 66 per cent of which came from the US and 19 per cent from Spain.
Fepex said it “values and supports this initiative because it contributes to highlighting EU nut production, especially almonds. Produced mainly in Spain and Portugal, it is characterized by its quality and incorporates the EU’s demanding labour, social, and environmental regulations”.
Fepex urged other European supermarket chains to follow Edeka’s example in promoting EU food sovereignty.
The almond sector, grouped under Fepex, is comprised of the Spanish Nuts Association (AFSE) and the Andalusian Fruit, Nuts, Vegetables, Flowers, and Plants Association (Asociafruit). Together they represent more than 38,000ha of irrigated almond production.
Spain in the world’s third-biggest producer of in-shell almonds. Production for the 2024/25 season reached 375,000 tonnes.
