California Almond Exports Get a Boost in Europe

California almond exporters have a little more certainty when it comes to selling into one of their biggest overseas markets. According to the Almond Board of California, the European Union has approved a new duty-free tariff rate quota for eligible U.S. almond exports as part of a newly finalized EU-U.S. trade agreement.

That means qualifying shipments of U.S. almonds can now enter the European Union with a zero percent tariff until the quota is filled. The new regulations are scheduled to remain in effect through the end of 2029.

The announcement follows months of trade uncertainty. Earlier this year, the European Union proposed a 25 percent retaliatory tariff on a range of U.S. products in response to broader U.S. trade actions. Almonds were discussed as part of those potential countermeasures, but those tariffs were repeatedly delayed while negotiations continued.

The Almond Board says the new agreement expands preferential market access for California almonds, helping maintain their competitiveness in Europe. With the European Union remaining an important export destination, the lower import costs and added certainty could help strengthen relationships with manufacturers, retailers and consumers across the region.