Almond production in Portugal: planting trends and production challenges within a developing industry

Portugal is a traditional almond (Prunus dulcis) producing country with a characterized Mediterranean climate.
The climate within Portugal varies, but most areas are generally conducive for almond production due to the hot and dry summers, the low risk of spring frost, and rain during the winter and spring.
Portugal’s almond production has traditionally relied on dry-land farming conditions, with production centralized in the northern areas of the country.
Northern production is limited by weather conditions during bloom and spring, as well as the lack of irrigation.
Yields within this region vary year to year, but data indicate an average of 650 kg kernel ha^-1 across 20,000 ha.
Planted area within this region has not significantly changed over the past decade.
Similar conditions of productivity are also present in the southern region of Portugal, but due to low production (150 kg kernel ha^-1) and other land uses, planted area has declined to 7,400 ha of mixed almond and olive plantings.
Recently, increase almond development has been observed in the proximity of the Tejo and Guadiana rivers.
These areas utilize irrigation infrastructure to deliver and meet tree water demand.
Production in these areas is higher, with well-maintained orchards yielding 1,500-2,500 kernel kg ha^-1. Continual investment within these regions has led to an increase in almond plantings, with an approximate 6,000 ha of almond-bearing and 6,000 ha of young, yet-to-bear plantings.
Expansion is expected to continue.
Production challenges include high disease and weed pressure, poor road quality that limits transportation, and low post-harvest processing capacity.
Even so, almond production will exceed 50,000 kernel tonnes by 2030.

IV International Symposium on Horticulture in Europe – SHE2021

D.A. Doll, P. Serrano, J. Freire de Andrade

tree nuts, irrigated agriculture, Alentejo, Beira, Trás-os-Montes, Ribatejo

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2021.1327.33