Walnuts: Production drops by 10%
October 16, 2018 at 9:13 AM ,
Der AUDITOR
New records are very well possible
This year’s US walnut production is estimated at 626,000 mt — a new record, according to the US Department of Agriculture. At 350,000 acres of crop-bearing walnut trees, acreage is the largest ever seen. There are also an additional 65,000 acres of trees that are not currently crop-bearing, which should further increase yields over the next few years.
This year, the crop will be available on the market later than expected. By 30 September, a total of 85,593 mt of US walnuts were harvested. This is around 10% less than at this time last year (92,985).
Increasing export potential
This season, good production volumes are not only expected in the USA but also in China, Chile and Eastern Europe. This is pulling down the prices on the international market and renders the nuts affordable for import markets that lack purchasing power. Turkey, for instance, imported around 520 mt of walnuts from the US in the first month of 2018/19, which is only 16% less than in September 2017. In comparison, the exports of US almonds to Turkey have decreased by 78% over last year.
US walnut exports in mt |
|||
Country |
2017/18 |
2018/19 |
Diff. |
Europe |
1,517 |
1,816 |
20% |
Asia/Oceania |
1,365 |
986 |
-28% |
Africa/Middle East |
834 |
813 |
-2% |
Central/South America |
0 |
19 |
- |
North America |
7,954 |
8,030 |
1% |
Others |
45 |
101 |
123% |
Total |
11,715 |
11,765 |
0% |
Since the beginning of the season |
Export markets in comparison
A total of 11,765 mt of US walnuts were shipped within the US and internationally in September 2018, a similar amount as last year. Shipments within the domestic market range at 7,540 mt (+3%), whereas exports range lower at 4,207 mt (-4%).
The main buyers include Spain, with 894 mt (+141% vs. 2017), South Korea with 556 mt (+151%) and Turkey with 520 mt (-16%). At the same time, Germany (-63%, 181 mt), Australia (-68%, 74 mt), and China (-79%, 23 mt) have drastically reduced their imports of US walnuts in the first month of the new season.
US walnut exports in mt |
|||
Country |
2017/18 |
2018/19 |
Diff. |
Spain |
372 |
894 |
141% |
South Korea |
221 |
556 |
151% |
Turkey |
619 |
520 |
-16% |
Canada |
607 |
486 |
-20% |
Italy |
478 |
460 |
-4% |
Germany |
494 |
181 |
-63% |
Belgium |
19 |
114 |
500% |
Australia |
228 |
74 |
-68% |
China |
110 |
23 |
-79% |
Vietnam |
318 |
0 |
-100 % |
Since the beginning of the season |
Overview of offers
Traders are offering last season's crop of Ukrainian walnut kernels, 30% light halves from 5.12 EUR/kg EXW Poland, light walnut pieces from the Ukraine are available from 6.65 EUR/kg EXW Germany. Offers stand at 6.04 EUR/kg EXW Germany for Chilean walnuts.
Walnut kernel prices (2017 crop) |
|
Product |
EUR/kg |
30% light halves, EXW Poland |
5.12 |
Pieces, light, EXW Germany |
6.65 |
Pieces, light, DDP Germany |
6.04 |
Trade sources |
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