What is Almondco Australia Limited?

Almondco Australia Limited operates as Australia's most significant grower-owned almond cooperative, processing and marketing almonds supplied by more than 85% of the nation's almond growers. The cooperative pools harvests from over 150-160 grower members across four Australian states and produces more than 100 distinct almond products at processing facilities in South Australia and New South Wales. Almondco processes approximately 30% of Australia's national almond crop according to government sources, positioning it as the country's second-largest almond processor.

The company's product range serves industrial food manufacturers, processors, retail re-packers, wholesalers, confectioners, and food service operators across both domestic and international markets. Almondco supplies whole almonds (natural and blanched), sliced, slivered, diced, almond meal, almond flour, almond paste, roasted almonds, and an extensive range of flavored and chocolate-coated almond products. The cooperative is documented as producing almond products that exceed widely used USDA specifications, with particular recognition among Australian pastry chefs for blanched meal and cuts according to company materials.

Almondco exports to more than 40 countries globally according to Brand SA, with established markets documented in Europe (United Kingdom, Western Europe including Spain and France), Asia (India, China, Japan, Southeast Asia including Vietnam and Thailand), Middle East (UAE and broader Gulf region), and Oceania (New Zealand). The company has received Australian Regional Exporter of the Year recognition twice. Headquarters and primary processing operations are located in Renmark, South Australia's Riverland region, with additional facilities in Griffith, New South Wales and Lyrup, South Australia.

Corporate Foundation

Almondco Australia Limited was established in 1944 as The Co-operative Almond Producers, formed by pioneering growers in Adelaide's Southern Vales. The first commercial processing facility was established at Edwardstown, Adelaide. The company operates as a grower-owned cooperative under Australian cooperative law, maintaining its cooperative structure and ethos for over 80 years.

As a private cooperative company, Almondco is not publicly traded on stock exchanges. Ownership resides with grower members who supply almonds to the cooperative. The company's governance structure documented in 2020-2021 materials includes four grower directors, two independent directors, and a managing director on the board. This structure was formalized through adoption of a new company constitution in March 2020, designed to enhance growers' capacity to retain the company in member hands and balance interests between existing and new growers.

Financial performance documented in various sources indicates the business grew from AU$25 million annual turnover in early years to over AU$150-200 million by 2014-2019. One source (RocketReach) cites AU$18.3 million revenue in 2025, though this figure appears inconsistent with other documented performance indicators and may reflect a specific division or reporting period. Another source (EssFeed) documents AU$250 million revenue from almond exports in a recent financial year, though verification of current figures requires direct company confirmation.

Production Infrastructure

Processing Facilities

Almondco Australia Limited operates three primary processing sites strategically positioned across key almond growing regions:

Renmark Facility (South Australia) - Primary Processing and Value-Adding

The company's headquarters and main processing operation occupies facilities in Renmark, South Australia's Riverland region. This site has undergone continuous expansion with documented investments exceeding AU$25 million in improvements and infrastructure upgrades in the decade through 2014, followed by additional major investments in subsequent years.

Significant documented expansions include:

AU$28.55 Million Expansion (2019-2021): Announced during Almondco's 75th anniversary celebrations in September 2019, this government-supported expansion included construction of world-class value-adding almond processing facilities, a new specialized sorting room with advanced electronic sorting equipment to double brown kernel processing capacity, and full wastewater treatment systems. The project was documented as creating 30 construction jobs and 20 additional production positions, funded through a South Australian government loan under the Loans to Cooperatives Scheme.

Project Optimise - AU$8.1 Million Warehouse (2021-2022): A new raw material warehouse exceeding 10,000 square meters was constructed to increase storage capacity by over 27,000 bins or 13,000 metric tonnes. This logistic hub consolidates raw material at the main regional processing site and supports processing capacity targets exceeding 50,000 tonnes annually by 2025, up from documented 29,500 tonnes in 2021.

According to company materials from 2022, ongoing expansions included high-capacity optical sorting lines and wastewater treatment plants. The Renmark facility houses electronic sorting equipment, automation systems, food safety infrastructure, vacuum packaging capabilities, and comprehensive sorting, packing, and warehousing operations.

Griffith Facility (New South Wales) - Primary Processing and In-Shell

A AU$25 million primary processing and in-shell facility was established just outside Griffith, New South Wales in 2017. This strategic expansion provided geographic diversification and positioned Almondco at both the eastern and western extremes of major Australian almond growing regions, offering operational flexibility to move product either direction. The facility construction faced difficult conditions with constant rain creating challenging site conditions, but was completed substantially on time and close to budget according to 2021 reports.

Lyrup Facility (South Australia) - Primary Processing

Almondco acquired a primary processing plant at Lyrup Heights, South Australia in February 2012 for documented AU$12.3 million. This acquisition expanded the company's scope from secondary processing into primary hulling and shelling operations, fundamentally redrawing the business model and necessitating constitutional reforms. The facility provides hulling and shelling capacity serving the South Australian Riverland growing region.

Processing Capacity and Capabilities

Company materials and government sources document that Almondco processes approximately 30% of Australia's national almond crop. Processing volumes have grown substantially, with documented intake increasing 600% over the decade through 2019. Specific tonnage figures documented include:

• 2000: Approximately 5,000 tonnes

• 2013: More than 21,000 tonnes of edible kernel

• 2019: Intake 12% above grower estimates

• 2021: 29,500 tonnes documented

• 2025 Target: Over 50,000 tonnes per annum capability post-expansions

• 2026 Projection: 45,000+ tonnes according to government announcements

The company's specifications documented as exceeding widely used USDA standards, with particular emphasis on high sorting quality for natural kernels and exceptional standards for blanched meal and cuts. Almondco's "white box" packaging has become recognized in the industry for quality differentiation according to company and industry materials.

Grower Network

Almondco sources almonds from more than 150-160 grower members (sources vary slightly on exact count) representing over 80-85% of all almond growers in Australia. Growers are distributed across four growing regions:

Riverina (New South Wales): Including areas near Griffith
Sunraysia/Murray Valley (Victoria): Between Swan Hill and Mildura
Riverland (South Australia): Primary growing region near Renmark
Adelaide Plains (South Australia): Northern Adelaide area
Swan Region (Western Australia): Emerging growing area

Variety distribution documented indicates approximately 50% Nonpareil variety and 30% Carmel variety representing the primary intake, with additional pollinator and specialty varieties comprising the remainder.

Product Portfolio

Almondco Australia Limited produces more than 100 almond products according to company materials and LinkedIn profile. Products serve industrial manufacturers, food service operators, retail re-packers, wholesalers, confectioners, and specialty food businesses globally.

Natural (Skin-On) Almonds

Whole Natural Almonds: Premium Australian almonds with intact natural skin, providing distinctive flavor and appearance for snacking and ingredient applications

Natural Sliced Almonds (Flaked): Natural almonds sliced into flakes for visual appeal and texture in baking, salads, and cooking applications

Natural Slivered Almonds: Skin-on almonds slivered into thin pieces for toppings and ingredient use

Natural Diced Almonds (Chopped): Diced natural almonds for incorporation into various recipes and products

Natural Almond Meal/Flour: Ground natural almonds with skin, providing distinctive color and enhanced flavor profile for baking and food manufacturing

Blanched (Skin-Removed) Almonds

Whole Blanched Almonds: Premium Australian almonds with skin removed, offering smooth ivory appearance and mild, sweet flavor

Blanched Sliced Almonds: Available in multiple thickness specifications including regular, providing consistent size for baking, pastries, biscuits, and desserts. Almondco is specifically renowned among Australian leading pastry chefs for exceptional blanched cuts quality.

Blanched Slivered Almonds: Blanched almonds precisely slivered into slender pieces, ideal for visual appeal and texture in cakes, pastries, stir-fries, tagines, biryanis, and salads

Blanched Diced Almonds (Chopped): Chopped blanched almonds for various food manufacturing and ingredient applications

Blanched Almond Meal/Flour: Ground blanched almonds providing smooth, light-colored flour for gluten-free baking, food manufacturing, and specialty applications. This category represents one of Almondco's signature products with exceptional reputation in Australian food service and manufacturing sectors.

Roasted Products

Dry Roasted Almonds: Natural Australian almonds dry roasted for enhanced flavor and texture, available for snacking and ingredient use

Flavored Almonds

Almondco offers an extensive range of flavored almond products documented on the online shop including:

• Smoked Almonds

• Vienna Almonds

• Cinnamon Almonds

• Various savory and seasoned varieties

Chocolate-Coated Products

• Tri-Chocolate Almonds (milk, dark, and white chocolate)

• Dark Chocolate Almonds

• Milk Chocolate Almonds

• Various chocolate-coated specialty products

Note: Chocolate almonds cannot be shipped during warmer months according to product listings, indicating temperature sensitivity and quality control measures.

Value-Added Products

Pure Almond Paste: Sold for creating homemade almond milk and various culinary applications. Almondco offers DIY almond milk kits at the Almond Hut retail location.

Retail Consumer Products

While primarily a B2B supplier, Almondco operates the Almond Hut in Renmark offering consumer-packaged products including:

• Natural and roasted whole almonds in various sizes

• Muesli blends incorporating almonds

• Gift baskets and specialty almond products

• Baking ingredients and recipe collections

Packaging and Specifications

Products are available in multiple formats:

• Bulk cartons for industrial customers (typically 9-10kg cartons with food-grade poly liner inserts)

• Consumer retail packages (500g and other sizes)

• Custom specifications to meet manufacturer requirements

All products can be supplied with full traceability, nutritional information, and allergen declarations as required by customers and regulatory authorities.

Certifications & Quality Standards

MANDATORY DISCLAIMER: The following certifications are referenced in company materials and certification databases. AgriLinkage has not independently verified current validity, scope, or compliance status. Certification standing can change based on audit outcomes. Buyers requiring certified products should request current documentation directly from the supplier and verify validity with issuing bodies.

While Almondco's website and accessible materials do not display comprehensive certification documentation comparable to some competitors, the company emphasizes that it maintains food safety and quality systems necessary for global export markets. Based on industry standards for Australian almond exporters and Almondco's documented export capabilities to 40+ countries including markets with strict import requirements (EU, Japan, Middle East), the company likely maintains certifications in the following categories, though direct verification is required:

Food Safety Certifications (Likely Maintained - Verification Required)

HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points): As a major food exporter, Almondco likely maintains HACCP protocols, the systematic preventive approach required for export to most developed markets. The company references "food safety systems" in historical materials about facility upgrades.

SQF or Equivalent GFSI Certification: For supply to major Australian retailers and international customers, Safe Quality Food or equivalent Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) certification would typically be maintained. This requires verification.

Export and Regulatory Certifications

Australian Export Certification: The company exports to 40+ countries, indicating compliance with Australian Department of Agriculture export requirements and quarantine standards.

Religious Dietary Certifications (To Be Confirmed)

Given documented export to Middle Eastern markets and significant Muslim-population countries in Asia, Halal certification may be maintained but requires direct verification.

Kosher certification status is unknown and requires verification if needed for specific markets.

Quality Specifications

Company materials emphasize that Almondco specifications exceed widely used USDA standards. The "Almondco white box" has become industry-recognized for quality differentiation. The company describes specifications ensuring product packed to much higher levels than standard practice, though specific technical parameters require direct inquiry.

Important Note for Buyers: Almondco's certification status requires direct verification. Buyers should request current copies of all relevant certificates, confirmation of scope (which facilities/products), and verification of validity with issuing bodies before finalizing supply agreements. This is particularly important given the company's cooperative structure and multiple processing sites, where certification scope may vary by facility.

Market Distribution

Geographic Markets

Almondco Australia Limited exports to more than 40 countries globally according to Brand SA documentation, with some sources referencing over 50 countries. The company maintains both established export markets and develops emerging markets as supply permits.

Established Export Markets (Documented):

Europe: United Kingdom, Western Europe including Spain, France, Germany, and Italy. European sales grew documented 24% in 2021-22 period. The company has identified potential benefits from Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement, which could reduce current tariffs of 5.6% on in-shell almonds and 3.5% on shelled almonds.

Asia: Multiple documented markets including:

• India (major market for in-shell almonds)

• China (significant growth following Australia-China FTA and US-China trade tensions creating opportunities)

• Japan (established market)

• Southeast Asia including Vietnam, Thailand, and other emerging markets

Middle East: Documented sales including UAE and broader Gulf region. Middle East sales grew documented 43% in 2021-22 period.

Oceania: New Zealand (established market)

Emerging/Developing Markets (As Supply Permits):

• Southeast Asia (expanding presence)

• Eastern Europe (market development underway)

• China (growing following 2019 FTA zero-tariff implementation)

Domestic Market

Australia remains a significant market. Historical data from 2014 indicated domestic sales represented approximately 55% of company turnover, with the balance exported. Current domestic/export mix requires verification as export capabilities have expanded substantially.

Customer Segments and Distribution Channels

Almondco operates predominantly in B2B channels, supplying:

Industrial Food Manufacturers: Producers of snack foods, baked goods, confectionery, cereals, and other processed foods requiring almond ingredients

Retail Re-Packers: Companies that package bulk almonds for retail distribution under various brand names

Wholesalers: Food distributors serving multiple customer types

Food Service: Restaurants, catering operations, and institutional food service requiring premium almond products

Confectioners: Chocolate and confectionery manufacturers incorporating almonds

Specialty Food: High-end food manufacturers seeking premium quality almond ingredients

The company has established strategic partnerships with Australia's key food manufacturers and retailers according to company materials. Almondco specializes in developing long-term B2B relationships with like-minded customers, emphasizing quality outcomes and repeat business generation.

Retail Consumer Presence

The Almondco Almond Hut operates as a factory sales outlet in Renmark, South Australia, providing:

• Direct consumer sales of packaged almond products

• Educational experience about almond industry and processing

• Gift baskets and specialty products

• Tourist attraction showcasing premium Australian almond products

Export Recognition

Almondco Australia Limited has received Australian Regional Exporter of the Year recognition twice in a six-year period through 2019, as announced during the company's 75th anniversary celebrations. This recognition from the Governor of Victoria Export Awards acknowledges outstanding export performance and contribution to Australian agricultural exports.

Sales and Distribution Infrastructure

The company maintains a sales network spanning multiple continents according to Australian government trade materials. With processing facilities positioned at the eastern (Griffith, NSW) and western (Renmark, SA) extremes of major Australian almond growing regions, Almondco can efficiently supply product to ports serving Asian markets (via eastern routes) and European/Middle Eastern markets (via western routes), providing logistical flexibility.

Awards and Recognition

Almondco Australia Limited has received multiple industry recognitions documented on the company website and in government publications:

Australian Regional Exporter of the Year: Received twice, most recently recognized during 75th anniversary celebrations in September 2019. This Governor of Victoria Export Award acknowledges outstanding work in exporting quality Australian almonds globally.

Industry Leadership Recognition: The cooperative model has been highlighted by cooperative farming organizations as one of Australia's most successful horticultural cooperatives, with over 85% of national almond growers choosing to participate.

Quality Recognition: Company materials reference reputation as "second to none" among Australia's leading pastry chefs for blanched meal and cuts, indicating industry professional recognition for product quality.

Cooperative Structure and Member Relations

As a grower-owned cooperative, Almondco maintains distinctive operational characteristics:

Member Ownership

More than 150-160 grower members own the cooperative, pooling their harvests for collective processing and marketing. This structure provides growers with:

• Collective bargaining power in global markets

• Access to world-class processing infrastructure without individual capital investment

• Shared risk and reward through cooperative returns

• Voice in strategic direction through board representation

Governance

The board structure documented in 2020-2021 materials includes:

• Four grower directors (representing member interests)

• Two independent directors (providing external expertise and governance perspective)

• Managing director (executive leadership)

This balance was specifically cited by former Chairman Simon Lane as a key success factor, noting that independent directors without almond tree ownership bring valuable external perspective to complement grower experience.

Constitutional Framework

A new company constitution adopted in March 2020 formalized governance structures and aimed to:

• Enhance growers' capacity to retain the company in producer member hands

• Balance interests between existing growers and new potentially large-scale growers

• Provide framework appropriate for expanded primary and secondary processing operations

• Protect cooperative ethos while enabling commercial growth

Information Currency and Verification

This company profile reflects publicly available information from Almondco Australia official website (almondco.com.au), online shop (shop.almondco.com.au), business registrations (IBISWorld, ZoomInfo, Dun & Bradstreet, RocketReach, Datanyze), Australian government trade publications (Austrade, DFAT), cooperative farming organizations (Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals), industry trade publications (Stock Journal, Fruitnet), LinkedIn corporate profile, regional news sources (Mirage News, Fresh Plaza), and state government announcements. Time-sensitive data including processing volumes (29,500-50,000+ tonnes range documented across different years), facility investments (AU$25-28.55 million for specific projects), employee counts (170-270 depending on season and source), revenue figures (AU$150-250 million range cited in various sources for different periods), grower counts (150-160 documented), and export market numbers (40+ countries) may change. Users requiring current information should contact the company directly.

Certification validity and compliance status can change based on audits and operational changes. Buyers requiring certified products should request current documentation from the supplier and verify validity with certification bodies. Note that Almondco's publicly available materials provide limited certification detail compared to some competitors, making direct verification especially important for buyers with specific certification requirements.

AgriLinkage has not conducted independent verification of operational capabilities, facility conditions, compliance claims, processing volumes, export market performance, or quality specifications. Commercial parties should conduct independent due diligence appropriate to their transaction requirements, including facility audits, product sampling, reference checks with current customers, verification of grower member network, and confirmation of cooperative governance structure. Given the cooperative ownership model, buyers may wish to understand the implications for supply stability, pricing mechanisms, and contractual relationships that may differ from corporate-owned processors.

Accessing Current Information

Prospective business partners should contact Almondco Australia Limited directly for current production capabilities, product specifications, pricing, certification status, available volumes, and commercial terms:

Corporate Headquarters and Processing:
Almondco Australia Limited
PO Box 1744, Renmark, South Australia, 5341, Australia

Physical Address:
19895 Sturt Highway
Renmark (Old Calperum), South Australia, 5341, Australia

Contact:
Phone: +61 8 8586 8800
Email: admin@almondco.com.au
Website: www.almondco.com.au
Online Shop: shop.almondco.com.au

Business Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM ACST
Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM ACST

Additional Facilities:

• Griffith Processing Facility: New South Wales (contact via main office)

• Lyrup Processing Plant: South Australia (contact via main office)

For consumer retail products and factory tours, the Almondco Almond Hut operates at the Renmark facility address during business hours, offering educational experiences and product sampling.

Requesting current certifications with scope verification

• Obtaining detailed product specifications and quality standards documentation

• Arranging facility visits to Renmark, Griffith, or Lyrup operations

• Conducting product sampling and quality evaluation

• Obtaining customer references from current B2B relationships

• Understanding cooperative supply mechanisms and member commitment structures

• Verifying processing capacity availability for required volumes

• Confirming export documentation and customs compliance for destination markets

• Reviewing pricing mechanisms and payment terms specific to cooperative operations

Conclusion: Almondco Australia Limited's Position in the Australian Almond Industry

Almondco Australia Limited represents Australia's most significant grower-owned almond cooperative, with documented processing of approximately 30% of the national crop and participation from over 85% of Australian almond growers. The cooperative's vertically integrated structure pooling 150-160 member harvests, combined with strategically positioned processing facilities in South Australia and New South Wales totaling documented capacity exceeding 50,000 tonnes annually, positions Almondco as a major supplier for industrial customers requiring premium Australian almonds with cooperative provenance.

For buyers sourcing almond ingredients, Almondco offers several decision-relevant characteristics: cooperative ownership structure providing connection to Australia's broadest grower network, geographic diversification across all major Australian growing regions for supply reliability, extensive processing capabilities delivering more than 100 product variations, documented export experience to 40+ countries with twice-recognized Regional Exporter of the Year performance, quality differentiation with specifications documented as exceeding USDA standards and industry recognition for blanched products, and three-facility infrastructure providing operational flexibility and substantial processing scale.

The company's documented quality commitment, with specifications exceeding widely used USDA standards and particular recognition among Australian pastry chefs for blanched meal and cuts, may be relevant for buyers requiring premium ingredients where superior sorting and processing justify price premiums. The cooperative structure offers both advantages (broad grower network, member commitment, stable supply relationships) and considerations (pricing mechanisms tied to grower returns, governance by grower board, supply priority to members) that differ from corporate-owned processors and require understanding for long-term supply relationships.

Almondco's documented capacity expansion trajectory from 5,000 tonnes in 2000 to documented 29,500 tonnes in 2021 and targeting 50,000+ tonnes with recent AU$60+ million infrastructure investments, combined with strategic positioning at both eastern and western extremes of Australian almond growing regions, indicates substantial available capacity for qualified buyers. However, actual current available volumes, specific product categories in stock, pricing competitiveness relative to alternatives, lead times, and minimum order quantities require direct verification, particularly given that cooperative members' harvest volumes fluctuate annually based on seasonal conditions, water availability, and crop yields.

The cooperative's export recognition and documented established markets across Europe, Asia, Middle East, and Oceania demonstrate capability to navigate international compliance requirements, though buyers should verify specific certifications (HACCP, SQF/GFSI, Halal, Kosher, organic if required) as Almondco's publicly available materials provide less certification documentation than some competitors. The company's emphasis on "white box" quality differentiation and documented commitment to specifications "much higher than standard practice" suggests positioning in premium market segments, which may or may not align with buyers' quality-versus-cost requirements depending on end application.

This profile provides background intelligence for preliminary evaluation of Almondco Australia Limited as a potential Australian almond supplier. Current engagement requires direct contact for quotations, available inventory verification, product samples with specifications, updated certification documentation, customer references from similar B2B relationships, discussion of cooperative supply mechanisms and member commitment levels, and commercial terms appropriate to the cooperative business model. Buyers should conduct facility visits to Renmark, Griffith, or Lyrup operations where feasible, verify certification validity with issuing bodies, compare offerings against alternative Australian suppliers (Select Harvests, Olam, others), and assess whether the cooperative ownership structure and quality positioning align with their sourcing strategy and budget parameters.