Almond Squeeze: Confectionery Federation Warns of EU Tariffs Pinch
EU's trade policy remains incomplete at this stage.
Are we staring at a sweet crisis in the European confectionery industry? The German Confectionery Industry Federation (BDSI) is trilling alarm bells after the EU proposed retaliatory duties on almonds imported from the USA. The federation has pleaded with the EU to spare almonds from the tariff list.
According to BDSI CEO, Carsten Bernoth, "Almonds are not interchangeable. They're pivotal in numerous confectionery items such as marzipan, cookies, chocolate, and even home-cooked treats like almond slivers, grated, or whole kernels."
Bernoth cautioned the EU against imposing duties on almonds that could imperil processing businesses and consumers within Europe. His statement came a day after the proposed tariffs were announced.
The looming EU tariffs on almonds, part of the broader economic response to US tariffs on steel and aluminum, won't kick in until December 1, 2025 [1][2][3]. This delay, as explained, provides EU farmers a window to seek new suppliers and sends a diplomatic message to Washington [1].
Industries reliant on almonds might bear the brunt of increased costs due to these tariffs, potentially driving up the prices of confectionery goods or diminishing profit margins. Supplier changes may be inevitable, and these shifts could impact the quality or consistency of products. Additionally, local suppliers may grasp the competitive edge, widening the market gap within the industry [4].
[1] dw.com[2] bloombergquint.com[3] nytimes.com[4] Enrichment Data
- The German Confectionery Industry Federation (BDSI) has expressed concern about the EU's proposed retaliatory duties on almonds imported from the USA, as stated in the community policy, given that almonds are vital in various confectionery items.
- The BDSI CEO, Carsten Bernoth, has urged the EU not to impose tariffs on almonds, as this could spell trouble for processing businesses and consumers within Europe, particularly in light of upcoming employment policies.
- The delay in the implementation of the EU tariffs on almonds until December 1, 2025, provides an opportunity for industries to seek new suppliers, a situation that could potentially lead to changes in the quality or consistency of confectionery goods, according to the latest employment policy discussions.
