Walnuts: caution prevails in Chile

September 11, 2024 at 12:03 PM , Der AUDITOR
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SANTIAGO. Chile has witnessed a substantial reduction in output this year. This has prompted the country’s exports to slump for walnuts. With spring about to start caution prevails for the 2025 crop.

Sharp downturn in exports

Chile’s exports have slumped this season on the back of a smaller crop. While inshell exports ranged well above 60,000 mt last year, they have slumped by 35% this year in the four-month period between 21 March and 31 July as the shipment report issued by ChileNut shows. Exports of shelled walnuts have also declined by 9% to 15,630 mt with Spain (-1% to 2,571 mt) and Italy (-29% to 1,078 mt) being the most important export destinations for this variety. In-shell shipments to the two most important export destinations, India and Turkey have declined sharply by double digits, whereas shipments to Italy have witnessed a 10% rise.

Walnut exports, Chile, inshell (mt)

Destination

2023

2024

Diff.

India

30,538

16,855

-44.8%

Turkey

17,148

8,036

-53.1%

Italy

4,640

5,090

9.7%

Morocco

4,365

3,486

-20.1%

Spain

2,250

2,526

12.3%

UAE

1,314

1,068

-18.7%

Lithuania

17

1,085

6,382.3%

Germany

515

931

80.8%

Peru

660

801

21.4%

China

1,922

835

56.6%

Others

5,628

2,930

-47.9%

Total

66,972

43,643

-34.8%

ChileNut, 21/03-31/07

Cautious outlook for 2025

Warm autumn and winter weather along with a sudden hike in temperatures in spring provided far from ideal conditions for the 2024 crop to grow and mature in Chile. Production declined sharply by around 26% to 134,576 mt in comparison with last year as figures presented at the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council Congress showed in May. Recent reports indicate that the remaining volumes will be sold in September and October.

Fortunately, it is also stated that weather conditions have been far more favourable for the walnut trees in winter this year with ample chill hours, loads of rain and good snowpack been witnessed this time round. Spring will approach soon, and growers are alert over the risk of frost that may impact flowering.

 

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