PROPULSIVE COMPETITIVE SCENARIOS FOR A NEW QUALIFICATION OF ALMOND SECTOR

This paper focuses on the main structural evolution characteristics of the production of almonds. The almond sector has developed intensively and dynamically over time, strengthening the position of prominence it occupies in the agricultural economy scenario of a large number of countries of the temperate and subtropical zones. The changes registered in the specific investments for the almond sector are intense indeed, with striking phenomena of expanding production (almond with shell) in some countries, which have contributed a lot to change the scenario of the geography of the supply, as well as the currents of international traffic (shelled almond). Therefore, a critical evaluation of the data of the official statistics on almond sector seems to be indispensable for less uncertain and approximate formulation for the elaboration of perspectives and innovative research topics. In relation to what has been underlined, this paper aims to present a concise yet expressive overview of the main stages of the production and trade of almonds, with reference to the main producing Countries and geographical areas. The analyzed data refer to the period from 2000 until today, during which occurred new competitive scenarios, generated by evolution the consumption patterns, which influenced the growth and development, still in place, of the sector in question.