Aussie Almond Growers

With Australia producing the second most almonds in the world, we meet two South Australia-based growers who know a thing or two about growing this much-loved nut.

- Samantha Allemann

Open up a pack of mixed nuts and which one do you go straight for? If your top pick is the almond, you’re in good company — they’re the most consumed tree nut.

Australia is the second-largest producer of almonds in the world according to the Australian Nut Industry Council. And figures from the Almond Board of Australia show that in 2018–2019 almonds formed 61 per cent of Australia’s total tree nut crop.

John Maragozidis from Yunis grows over 100,000kg of organic almonds every year. Raised on his parents’ almond farm in the Adelaide Plains, Maragozidis studied Mechanical Engineering but found himself drawn back to almond farming a few years after completing his studies. He bought his own farm and has been an almond farmer for 38 years.

Also located in South Australia is Casarosa Almonds Australia, whose farms are in the Riverland region by the Murray River, one hour north of the Barossa Valley. Run by Dennis and Pam Casaretto with their son Jarrad and his wife Jackie, the family started growing almonds after realising their many uses and associated health benefits.

Why almonds are good for you

There are amazing health benefits associated with all nuts, yet almonds remain a popular choice for good reason. They are a great source of protein and fibre and are packed full of magnesium (a small handful of almonds will give you 75 per cent of the recommended dietary intake of magnesium).

Almonds also are also rich in vitamin E, zinc, iron and selenium. And don’t forget about the importance of healthy fats, of which almonds are high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are believed to lower cholesterol levels and improve heart health.