Walnuts: USDA expects slight production increase
March 12, 2025 at 9:17 AM ,
Der AUDITOR
US crop estimated at 607,814 mt
According to the US Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service, around 2.695 million mt of in-shell walnuts were harvested worldwide in the 2024/2025 season, which would correspond to a 1.5% increase in production compared to the previous year. China (+11.1% to 1.5 million mt), Chile (+11.4% to 195,000 mt) and the EU (+7.1% to 150,000 mt) in particular recorded a higher-yielding harvest year. In contrast, the USA experienced an “off-year” this season, which is why walnut production fell by 18.7% to 607,814 mt.
While the global result appears to be almost identical to the figure of 2.670 million mt of in-shell walnuts published by the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council last October, there are a few crucial differences in the data collected. Apart from the fact that the INC overview shows significant deviations for individual countries, there are additional production values for Iran and Argentina, as well as unspecified origins. At the same time, Brazil is missing as a growing region, while it is included in the USDA table.
In Moldova, walnuts are currently cultivated on an estimated 23,000 hectares, with the majority of exports going to EU countries such as Germany, France and Romania. In 2023, the country had already invested around MDL 26 million (approx. EUR 1.35 million) in larger acreages and improved infrastructure. According to reports, the acreage is to be increased by a further 3,900 hectares by 2030 and processing facilities are to be modernised. This should help to open up new export markets and consolidate the country's position on the international market.
|
Walnut production, in mt |
|||
|
Country |
2023/24 |
2024/25 |
Diff. |
|
China |
1,350,000 |
1,500,000 |
11.1% |
|
USA |
747,520 |
607,814 |
-18.7% |
|
Chile |
175,000 |
195,000 |
11.4% |
|
EU |
140,000 |
150,000 |
7.1% |
|
Ukraine |
100,000 |
100,000 |
0.0% |
|
Turkey |
67,000 |
67,000 |
0.0% |
|
India |
33,000 |
34,000 |
3.0% |
|
Moldova |
20,000 |
21,000 |
5.0% |
|
Australia |
12,000 |
10,000 |
-16.7% |
|
Brazil |
11,000 |
10,000 |
-9.1% |
|
Total |
2,655,520 |
2,694,814 |
1.5% |
|
USDA Foreign Agricultural Service |
|||
EU imports up by 29%
In 2024, the EU imported a total of 123,220 mt of shelled walnuts worth EUR 563.888 million from third countries, meaning that the import volume increased by 28.7% year-on-year, while the import value even rose by 37.4%.
Shipments from the five most important trading partners all increased compared to the same period last year. Imports from the USA increased by 32.4% to 69,698 mt, followed by Chile (+6.3% to 20,765 mt) and Ukraine (+40.5% to 17,907 mt) as well as China (+59.0% to 8,202 mt) and Moldova (+11.6% to 4,008 mt) with significant increases in exports.
Germany is the most important sourcing country within the EU for walnut deliveries from third countries; the country also increased its imports by a further 11.3% year-on-year to 37,620 mt. Other notable buyer countries are Spain (+30.3% to 21,160 mt), the Netherlands (+61.3% to 19,150 mt) and Italy (+30.8% to 8,790 mt).
|
EU walnut imports, in mt |
|||
|
Supplier |
2023 |
2024 |
Diff. |
|
USA |
52,827 |
69,968 |
32.4% |
|
Chile |
19,543 |
20,765 |
6.3% |
|
Ukraine |
12,742 |
17,907 |
40.5% |
|
China |
5,160 |
8,202 |
59.0% |
|
Moldova |
3,592 |
4,008 |
11.6% |
|
Others |
1,855 |
2,370 |
27.8% |
|
Total |
95,719 |
123,220 |
28.7% |
|
DG AGRI TAXUD Customs Surveillance System, 01/01-31/12 08023200 Fresh or dried walnuts, shelled |
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