Chestnuts: good quality and stable prices
October 14, 2026 at 12:16 PM ,
Der AUDITOR
Harvest on Mount Paiko has begun
The chestnut harvest on Mount Paiko is similarly to the start of last season. Fotini Vairli, president of the local cooperative A.C. Kapa, expects the crop volume to be on a par with last year’s, with a variation of around 5% either way; this is reported by the experts at FreshPlaza in their latest update. However, the chestnuts are likely to be smaller on average than usual. The quality is said to be very good, with no problems with rot, and the largest proportions fall into grades A and B. Vairli also does not anticipate any significant changes in overall Greek production compared with last year, although she expects a higher proportion of smaller nuts.
Exports have started
According to Vairli, the wholesale prices agreed so far by A.C. Kapa are on a par with last year’s levels. A final assessment of producer prices will only be possible once the entire crop has been sold. Traditionally, the harvest is expected to be completed by St Demetrius’ Day on 26 October.
Exports to Italy have already begun. According to Vairli’s assessment given to FreshPlaza, the country could increase its imports this year, as its own production is below last year’s level and lower than originally expected. However, whether larger quantities will be purchased depends largely on the prices.
EU increases imports
EU imports of sweet chestnuts from third countries rose by just under 10% between 1 January and 11 October 2026 compared with last year. Chile remains by far the most important supplier, having increased its shipments to the EU by 12% to 6,340 mt. Turkey, in second place, also recorded significant increases (+41.8% to 937 mt), whilst China, the third-largest supplier, exported 40% less to EU countries than in the same period last year.
The largest importer within the EU during the period mentioned above was Spain, which increased its imports by a moderate 3.1% to 3,030 mt. Portugal, in second place, by contrast, imported 38.3% more chestnuts from third countries, and Italy also increased its imports by 8.2%. The situation was different in Belgium and the Netherlands, where imports fell by 24.3% and 74.1% respectively. The average import price, at EUR 2.40/kg, was a substantial 61.1% above last year's level, bringing the total value of imports during the aforementioned period to just over EUR 18.31 million.
|
EU chestnut imports, in mt |
|||
|
Partner |
2025 |
2026 |
Diff. |
|
Chile |
5,661 |
6,340 |
12.0% |
|
Turkey |
661 |
937 |
41.8% |
|
China |
570 |
342 |
-40.0% |
|
Brazil |
- |
5 |
n/a |
|
Switzerland |
0,4 |
2 |
400.0% |
|
Others |
64 |
3 |
-95.3% |
|
Total |
6,956 |
7,629 |
9.7% |
|
DG AGRI TAXUD Customs Surveillance System, 01/01-11/10 08024200+08024100 Fresh or dried chestnuts "Castanea spp.", shelled+ inshell |
|||
View more
- price charts
View related articles
