Pistachios: EU lifts spending
May 9, 2023 at 9:27 AM ,
Der AUDITOR
Historic high
Although the import volume declined by 5% in 2022 as compared with 2021 as recently issued Eurostat figures illustrate, the import value has risen to a historic high of EUR 710.725 million (USD 781.335 million). This is also 8% up on the EUR 654.614 million (USD 719.649) spent in 2021. In terms of volume the trend is not quite as steady as shipments continuously rose in 2012-2022 with the noted exception of 2016, 2018 and 2022. The EU imported 52,471 mt of pistachios in 2012. Although the import value has risen more than twofold since 2021, the import volume is not quite there yet.
US in strong position
The USA has been the most important supplier by far for the EU since 2012, followed by Iran. Although US shipments rose by 11% in 2022 many EU member states have reduced imports in 2022/2023 as the recent shipment reports issued by the Administrative Committee for Pistachios show. As California anticipates a rise in production this year, shipments to the EU may, however, pick up again in the fourth quarter.
Last year the volumes shipped from Iran tumbled to the second lowest level on record as a lower volume of 5,164 mt was only seen in 2019. Issue is that sudden frosts impacted last year’s production. Although prospects are quite encouraging for this year’s production as the weather has been good so far, caution prevails as many orchards are not in good shape and sanctions continue to disrupt production and trade.
EU pistachio imports (in kg) |
|||
Country |
2021 |
2022 |
Diff. |
USA |
75,800,252 |
84,194,395 |
11.0% |
Iran |
18,808,893 |
5,709,853 |
-69.7% |
Argentina |
158,652 |
189,960 |
19.7% |
Turkey |
430,644 |
150,869 |
-65.0% |
UK |
127,632 |
67,523 |
-47.1% |
UAE |
24,320 |
36,004 |
48.0% |
Syria |
172,357 |
28,936 |
-83.2% |
Hong Kong |
- |
24,002 |
- |
Afghanistan |
29,682 |
23,661 |
-20.3% |
Switzerland |
3,450 |
15,051 |
336.3% |
Others |
27,014 |
16,906 |
-37.5% |
Total |
95,582,896 |
90,457,160 |
-5.4% |
Eurostat (Comext) 20/03/23 |
View more
- price charts, pistachios, Iran
- more price charts