Walnuts: waiting for new season to start
February 25, 2025 at 12:45 PM ,
Der AUDITOR
Exports slump in January
January was a weak export month for Chile as the most recent shipment report issued by ChileNut shows. Issue is that most suppliers are sold out and are wating for the new crop. Monthly inshell exports dipped by 73% to 367 mt as compared with the 1,358 mt registered in January 2024 and shelled walnut exports declined by 42% to 1,060 mt as compared with the 1,829 mt noted one year ago.
Shelled walnut exports to Europe no longer up
Year-to-date shelled walnut exports now range 13% lower than last year with the leading export destinations showing mixed trends. While Europe has been the silver lining this season so far, exports to here are now lagging 1% behind last year at 22,140 mt. Exports to Spain have risen by 11% and by a more nominal 3% to Germany. Italy has recorded a 21% decline and shipments to the Netherlands and France are also down. Uruguay is the noted champion in South America as shipments have risen by 30% as compared with last season. Contrary to this, exports to South America as a region have dipped by 28% to 4,742 mt. The most noted downturn has been witnessed in exports to Asia/Oceania as they have slumped by 59% to as little as 688 mt. Shipments to the Middle East and Africa have also declined by a stunning 47% to 1,289 mt.
|
Walnut exports, Chile, shelled (mt) |
|||
|
Destination |
2023/24 |
2024/25 |
Diff. |
|
Spain |
4,821 |
5,343 |
10.8% |
|
Germany |
3,512 |
3,599 |
2.5% |
|
Italy |
4,056 |
3,208 |
-21.0% |
|
Netherlands |
3,065 |
3,010 |
-1.8% |
|
Brazil |
3,759 |
2,018 |
-46.3% |
|
France |
1,859 |
1,773 |
-4.6% |
|
Ecuador |
1,317 |
1,312 |
-0.4% |
|
UK |
774 |
757 |
-2.2% |
|
Uruguay |
528 |
650 |
23.1% |
|
Switzerland |
471 |
610 |
29.5% |
|
Others |
8,911 |
6,579 |
-26.2% |
|
Total |
33,073 |
28,859 |
-12.7% |
|
ChileNut, 21/03-31/01 |
|||
Inshell shipments to America up on last year
Chile’s inshell walnut exports have slumped by a remarkable 29%. India and Turkey are leading the headway with declines of 30% and 54% respectively. Contrary to this, exports to all European destinations in the top ten have risen. Especially to Lithuania, which has witnessed an incredible four-digit uprise. Exports to Europe have, in fact, gained by 11% this season so far and presently stand at 18,084 mt. January was also a strong month for shipments to America, which have gained nearly 5% this season so far. Year-to-date exports to here have reached 2,083 mt with shipments to Peru most notably 33% up. The Middle East and Africa are sporting the sharpest decline of 47% to 17,015 mt, followed by Asia and Oceania with a downturn of 32% to 72,836 mt.
|
Walnut exports, Chile, inshell (mt) |
|||
|
Destination |
2023/24 |
2024/25 |
Diff. |
|
India |
48,747 |
33,968 |
-30.3% |
|
Turkey |
23,188 |
10,606 |
-54.3% |
|
Italy |
7,721 |
8,384 |
8.6% |
|
Morocco |
5,353 |
3,969 |
-25.9% |
|
Spain |
2,993 |
3,145 |
5.1% |
|
Lithuania |
17 |
1,625 |
9,458.8% |
|
Germany |
1,358 |
1,378 |
1.5% |
|
UAE |
1,812 |
1,289 |
-28.8% |
|
China |
2,611 |
1,315 |
-49.6% |
|
Peru |
822 |
1,093 |
33.0% |
|
Others |
7,935 |
6,064 |
-24.6% |
|
Total |
102,557 |
72,836 |
-29.0% |
|
ChileNut, 21/03-31/01 |
|||
Better prospects for Chilean crop in 2025
With the new export season about to start on 21 March opinion is that Chile’s new crop will only partly help to offset the current tight global supplies. Not only will the crop be much smaller than in China or the USA but Chile’s supplies will also mainly serve India, the Middle East and North Africa along with Asia meaning that US suppliers are not worried about having to compete. General agreement is that demand for the 2025 US crop will be rise early as inventories are low in California.
As weather conditions have been good throughout winter, spring and summer a normal harvest is expected in Chile this year. Yet, the market will closely monitor the weather during harvest. Last year’s disaster-stricken crop has prompted suppliers to remain cautious in issuing offers.
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