Walnuts: US exports increased in October
November 22, 2023 at 2:52 PM ,
Der AUDITOR
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October exports up by 17%
US walnut exports were significantly higher in October 2023 compared to the same month last year. In the second month of the new season, exports of shelled and unshelled US walnuts totalled 29,727 mt, up 17% from October 2022. Domestic shipments reached 15,244 mt (+17%). This brings total deliveries to 44,971 mt (+17%). The main buyers were Turkey (+45% to 6,156 mt), Italy (+16% to 5,776 mt), Spain (+21% to 3,435 mt) and Germany (+87% to 1,999 mt).
In total, around 62,576 mt of US walnuts with and without shells have been shipped domestically and overseas since the start of the 2023/24 season, around 17% more than in the same period of the previous year. While domestic deliveries increased by 22% year-on-year to 28,061 mt, the export volume rose by 13% to 34,516 mt. Almost half of total shipments so far have gone to the domestic market, with Turkey (+38% to 6,251 mt), Italy (+17% to 6,028 mt), Spain (+26% to 3,788 mt) and Germany (+94% to 2,789 mt) emerging as the most important export destinations.
US walnut shipments, domestic and overseas, in mt |
|||
Destination |
2022/23 |
2023/24 |
Diff. |
USA |
22,956 |
28,061 |
22% |
Turkey |
4,540 |
6,251 |
38% |
Italy |
5,142 |
6,028 |
17% |
Spain |
3,005 |
3,788 |
26% |
Germany |
1,435 |
2,789 |
94% |
Korea |
1,466 |
2,028 |
38% |
Canada |
2,687 |
1,555 |
-42% |
UK |
854 |
1,488 |
74% |
Japan |
1,098 |
1,013 |
-8% |
UAE |
3,047 |
960 |
-69% |
Others |
7,348 |
8,617 |
17% |
Total |
53,578 |
62,576 |
17% |
California Walnuts; 01/09-31/10 |
Yields compensate for decline in cultivation
The comparatively low prices for US walnuts resulted in a decline in acreage in 2023 for the first time since the end of the 1990s. Instead of the previous 161,874 ha, walnuts are now only cultivated on 151,757 ha in the USA. According to the official USDA report, lower prices were not the only reason for the growers' decision; other factors such as extreme weather conditions, rising production costs and competition from other producing countries also played a role. Due to the smaller area, the result of the harvest, which will continue into November due to unfavourable weather conditions, was also reduced by around 27,000 mt to 689,400 mt. Thanks to good yields, however, there is unlikely to be a fall in production compared to last year.
Walnut prices have remained largely stable compared to last week, although there have been a few price corrections. For example, offers for Chilean Chandler walnuts, 30-32 mm, inshell increased by USD 0.05/kg to USD 2.75/kg, while prices for Chandler, 80 LHP remained at USD 6.95/kg.
Walnuts |
||
Type, origin |
USD/kg |
EUR/kg |
Chandler, Jumbo large, inshell, USA |
1.95 |
1.79 |
Chandler, 30-32 mm, inshell, Chile |
2.75 |
2.52 |
Chandler, 80 LHP, USA |
5.89 |
5.40 |
Chandler, 80 LHP, Chile |
6.95 |
6.37 |
FCA Spain |
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