Walnuts: traders want to part with stocks

June 22, 2022 at 4:50 PM , Der AUDITOR
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SACRAMENTO/SANTIAGO. At the end of the season, walnut shipments from the USA pick up once again. The overall weak export results of the season so far increase the sales pressure on the supplier side.

May exports at a high level

In May, US walnut exports recorded a significantly better result than in the same month last year. Export volumes increased by 60% to 19,185 mt, while domestic shipments declined by 10%. A total of 26,238 mt of shelled and unshelled walnuts were shipped domestically and internationally during the said period, up 32% from May 2021. The export growth was attributed to significantly higher shipments to Germany. With the exception of the domestic market, Germany was by far the most important sales market, with monthly shipments up 131% year-on-year to 4,218 mt.

Since the beginning of this season, a total of 289,847 mt of US inshell and shelled walnuts have been shipped domestically and internationally, about 17% less than this time last year. Domestic shipments were down 9% to 71,348 mt and export shipments were down as much as 20% to 218,498 mt. Only shipments to Europe increased compared to last year.

US walnut shipments, in mt

Destination

2020/21

2021/22

Diff.

Europe

86,660

90,961

5%

North America

86,002

77,896

-9%

Africa/Middle East

104,903

71,648

-32%

Asia/Pacific Rim

68,634

46,249

-33%

Central/South America

180

150

-17%

Others

3,757

2,942

-22%

Total

350,136

289,847

-17%

California Walnuts; since the start of the season

Selling pressure at the end of the season

In the European spot market, walnut prices have eased considerably in recent weeks. Chandler, LHP 20% from the USA are offered at a level of EUR 5.55/kg FCA Spain, prices for Ukrainian goods are at EUR 5.90-6.20/kg FCA. At the same time, Chilean Chandlers, ELHP, 60% are currently offered at EUR 7.55/kg FCA Spain.

US suppliers want to establish higher prices, which is partly successful with premium qualities, while darker kernels and industrial goods are offered at lower prices in order to sell as much of the 2021 crop as possible before the new season starts.

Walnuts

Type

EUR/kg

Chandler, LHP 20%, USA

5.55

Chandler, LHP 80%, USA

6.80

Chandler, inshell, Jumbo, USA

2.40

Type 185, shelled, ELHP 90%, China

5.25

XIN2, inshell, +32 mm, China

2.55

LHP, Ukraine

5.90-6.20

Chandler, ELHP 60%, Chile

7.55

Chandler, ELHP 40%, Chile

7.15

FCA Spain

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