In response to the tariffs imposed by the US on steel and aluminum, the EU has decided on retaliatory measures that also affect almonds and soybeans from the USA. A counter-tariff of 25% has been imposed on US almonds, and the industries affected have already expressed their concerns about the potential impact.
In 2024, the EU imported $ 1.2 billion worth of shelled almonds from the United States. Around 92% of almonds imported into the EU come from California, while European agriculture only covers around a third of European demand.
Kern Tec offers Europe an alternative
Kern Tec explains: “As a European company, Kern Tec offers a crisis-proof almond alternative: ‘nut’ products made from apricot kernels have the advantage of being very similar to almonds in terms of appearance, taste, and nutritional profile. What has so far remained largely unused in the fruit industry in several thousand tons, Kern Tec transforms into high-quality raw materials through technological innovation.”
Kern Tec’s raw materials are currently mainly used in the confectionery and baking industry, as crunch, filling, or topping, as well as in milk alternatives (drinks, yogurt, spreads, cheese, pudding). At the beginning of 2024, the private dairy Bauer launched a range of plant-based MoPro alternatives with Kern Tec under the “ZUM GLÜCK!” brand.
Preparing for global supply imbalances
“Corona has shown us that we in Europe must have our own solutions ready if global imbalances arise. With the help of our technologies, we can process apricot kernels on an industrial scale and make a contribution to the emerging imbalances. The current market dynamics show that interest in apricot kernels as an additional security is growing significantly,” says Michael Beitl, Managing Director of Kern Tec.
Kern Tec also emphasizes the positive side effect: “Apricot kernels do not have to be grown separately, as they are a by-product of the fruit industry. Their taste and nutritional values are comparable to almonds. However, they cause fewer CO₂ emissions, require less water and do not require any additional land.”
