Market Research Scope Document: Global Almond Industry Purpose We own an existing almond farm in Australia and aim to assess the macro environment of the global almond market to determine whether to retain or sell our investment. This research will provide insights into the market dynamics, risks, and opportunities, focusing on factors that influence long-term profitability and valuation. 1. Market Data Requirements Core Data Collection Points - Production Volumes: Historical and current production data by key regions. - Planting Data: Trends in new plantings, removals, and age profiles of almond orchards. - Yield Trends: Analysis of past yields and forward-looking projections. - Inventory Levels: Regional and global inventory trends, movements, and storage capacity. - Pricing Dynamics: Historical and real-time price data, including major drivers (e.g., weather, trade policies). 2. Geographic Coverage Requirements Primary Focus - European Union:*Detailed analysis with a particular focus on Spain, the EU’s largest almond producer. Secondary Focus - United States: Analysis of California’s almond market as a global production leader. Additional Markets* - Consideration of demand from emerging almond producers or markets (e.g., Middle East, India, or China). 3. Specific Market Analysis Components Production Analysis: - Europe: Bottom-up approach to assess regional outputs and future capacities, reviewing acreage trends etc. - US: similar to the EU Supply-Demand Balance: - Global and Regional:*Evaluate market equilibrium and identify shortages or surpluses. Market Trends and Drivers: - Consumption trends etc. Future Capacity: - Assess the potential for production expansion or decline in key regions. 4. Data Source Requirements European Data Sources: - Eurostat agricultural databases - Industry-specific reports (e.g., INC Almond Insights) - Local cooperative and producer association publications US Data Sources: - USDA Almond Board Reports - California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) - Trade and export data (ITC, WTO) Australian Data Sources: - ABARES reports - we can provide these - Almond Board of Australia publications - we can provide these Other Requirements: - Cross-referencing of data to ensure reliability. - Addressing data gaps through estimation and any expert interviews if necessary. 5. Deliverables 5. Report Deliverables: 1. Comprehensive market analysis report with: - Key findings - Graphical representations (charts, maps, etc.) - Regional breakdowns 2. Data sets in an accessible format (Excel, CSV). 3. Recommendations tailored for the Australian almond producer. 4. Methodology documentation detailing data collection and analysis processes. 5. Source citations with a reliability assessment. 6. Timeline Expectations: final report by first week of February Consultant Requirements - Access to agricultural databases.** Critical Emphasis This research will directly inform strategic decisions for an Australian almond producer. Accuracy, particularly in European market coverage, is essential. The consultant must deliver granular insights and practical recommendations to position the client competitively in the global almond market.