Walnuts: US crop smaller than anticipated
March 19, 2025 at 12:05 PM ,
Der AUDITOR

27% slump in US walnut production
Global demand for US walnuts and production have continuously risen in the past years. This, however, changed with the 2024 crop as adverse weather conditions in winter and spring along with high temperatures in June and July 2024 caused production to decline. The California Walnut Board and Commission estimates 2024/2025 production as low as 542,700 mt, which not only undercuts the USDA estimate of 607,814 mt but also marks a 27% slump on the 747,520 mt harvested in 2023/2024.
At 2,6 million mt global in-shell production declined by 2% in 2024/2025 as compared with last season. Chile and Turkey also witnessed disastrous 26% slumps in production. Contrary to this, gains of 15% in China, of 14% in Ukraine and of 16% in Romania compensated for these shortfalls.
Global walnut production, in-shell basis (mt) |
|||
Country |
2023/24 |
2024/25 |
Diff. |
China |
1,350,000 |
1,550,000 |
15% |
USA |
747,520 |
542,700 |
-27% |
Chile |
181,648 |
134,576 |
-26% |
Ukraine |
78,000 |
88,750 |
14% |
Turkey |
65,000 |
48,000 |
-26% |
Romania |
34,500 |
40,000 |
16% |
Iran |
40,000 |
35,000 |
-13% |
India |
35,000 |
33,000 |
-6% |
Argentina |
20,000 |
25,000 |
25% |
France |
22,000 |
25,000 |
14% |
Others |
88,950 |
96,680 |
9% |
Total |
2,662,618 |
2,618,706 |
-2% |
California Walnut Board and Commission, Chilenut, Walnut Growers Association of Türkiye and other INC sources |
Limited price rises
Although limited supplies immediately drove up quotations of 80% light half Chandlers by USD 0.50/lb in September 2024, they have remained in a relatively stable range of USD 4.00-4.20/lb since October 2024 as Expana reports. Quotations ranged at USD 4.10/lb in February 2025. Traders reckon that US suppliers refrained from further price rises as they want to prevent buyers from switching to Chile and China.
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