Nuts: EU spends less

While spending for nearly all nuts rose by double digits in 2025, this is now only the case for hazelnuts, pecans and macadamias and kola nuts. Almonds, cashews and Brazil nuts are even showing noted downturns. Pistachios, cashews and pine nuts are displaying moderate movements.

Pistachios

EU pistachio imports hit a new record high of EUR 449 million (USD 528 million) in the first quarter of 2026. Yet, this only marks a single digit rise of 7% on last year’s EUR 420 million (USD 494 million), whereas imports have surged by double digits last year. In terms of volume, imports also reached a record 47,580 mt, which is also 6% more than the 44,719 mt imported in the first quarter of last year. The USA accounted for 83% of the EU’s total import value in the first quarter of 2026, followed by Iran with a much smaller share of 6% and Turkey with 4%. With a market share of 35% Germany was the main import destination, followed by Italy with 21% and Spain with 13%.

Almonds

In the first quarter of 2026, the EU import volume dropped to an eleven-year low of 76,178 mt as a lower 65,172 mt was last recorded in January-March 2015. This is also 18% down on the 92,931 mt imported in the same period last year. In terms of value, imports may have still been relatively high at EUR 428 million (USD 504 million), yet this is also 10% less than last year. As the near exclusive supplier for almonds the USA held a market share of 95% of the EU’s total impart value between January and March. Australia only accounted for 3% and Afghanistan for less than 1%. The main EU importers were Spain (35%), Germany (21%) and Italy (19%).

Cashews

At nearly EUR 300 million (USD 353 million) EU cashew imports hit a quarterly record in January to March 2026. Yet, the rise of 1% is far less exciting in the annual comparison. In terms of volume, imports rose by 3%, from 46,558 mt in January to March 2025, to 48,041 mt in the first three months of the current year. Vietnam accounted for 70% of the EU’s total import value in the first three months of 2026, followed by Côte d’Ivoire with 19% and India with 5%. With a market share of 45% Germany was the top importing EU member state, the Netherlands ranked second with 29% and Italy third with 7%.

Hazelnuts

EU hazelnut imports surged by an incredible 85% to a quarterly record of EUR 247 million (USD 291 million) in January to March 2026. In terms of volume, imports also jumped by 22%, from 18,963 mt in the first quarter of 2025 to a record 23,047 mt in the first quarter of 2026. Top supplier Turkey clearly lost market shares to Chile and the USA. The country only accounted for 27% of the EU’s total import value with Chile close on its heels with a market share of 24% and the USA with 22%. Within the EU Italy is the main buyer (42%), along with Germany (28%) and Poland (10%).

Walnuts

Although receding by 17% in the first quarter of 2026, the import value for walnuts still showed the second highest quarterly value on record after last year’s EUR 293 million (USD 345 million). In terms of volume, imports declined to the third lowest on record of 51,817 mt, which is 8% less than the 56,175 mt registered in January to March last year. The USA accounted for 60% of the EU’s total import value in the first quarter of 2026 with China (20%) and Chile (9%) next in line. Within the EU Germany accounted for 38%, followed by Spain (16%) and Italy (14%).

Peanuts

The import volume for peanuts not only slumped by 32% in the annual comparison but has even fallen to a seven-year quarterly low as importers last spent less in January to March 2019 when imports only amounted to EUR 212 million (USD 249 million). After reaching 194,524 mt in the first quarter of last year the import volume also declined to a five-year low of 176,653 mt. Argentina obtained 59% of the EU’s total import value in the first quarter. Egypt (12%) and China (10%) were next in line. The Netherlands (48%) were the main importing EU member state by far, followed by Italy (10%) and Germany (9%).

Pine nuts

EU pine nut imports rose by 4% in terms of value in the first quarter of 2026 as compared with the first quarter of 2025. In terms of volume imports, however, dipped by 17%, from 3,220 mt in January to March 2025 to 2,652 mt in the same period this year. As much as 81% of the EU’s total import value was allocated to China in the first three months of the current year. Turkey was next in line with a much smaller market share of 16% and Afghanistan only held 2%. Within the EU, Germany spent 49% of the total import value, followed by Italy with 25% and Spain with 10%.

Pecans

EU spending surged by 58% for pecans in the first quarter of the current year as compared with the same period last year. In terms of volume, imports also rose sharply by 50%, from 3,482 mt in January to March 2025 to 5,206 mt in January to March 2026. The USA received 62% of the EU’s total import value in the first quarter, followed by Mexico with 33%. China was next in line with a much smaller share of 3%. The Netherlands (45%) spent most on pecans with Germany (32%) and Spain (9%) next in line.

Macadamias

EU macadamia nut imports leaped by 62% in terms of value to a record EUR 28 million (USD 33 million) in the first quarter of the current year as compared with the same quarter last year. In terms of volume imports also surged to a record high of 2,590 mt, which is a stunning 67% up on the first three months of 2025. South Africa (49%) was the main trading partner in terms of value in the first quarter, followed by Kenya with 27% and Australia with 11%. The Netherlands (42%) were the top EU importing member state, followed by Germany (37%) and Spain (10%).

Brazil nuts

EU Brazil nut imports slumped by 64% to a multi-year low in value in the first quarter of the current year. In terms of volume, shipments even slumped to as little as 636 mt, an incredible 75% less than the 2,527 mt imported in January to March 2025. Bolivia received as much as 77% of the EU’s total spend in the first quarter, Peru 12% and Brazil 8%. Within the EU, the Netherlands accounted for 52%, Germany for 22% and Spain for 18%.

Kola nuts

EU spending on Kola nuts more than tripled to an absolute record of EUR 2 million (USD 2 million) in the first quarter. In terms of volume, imports have, however, slumped by 76%, from 187 mt in the first three months of 2025 to as little as 46 mt in the first three months of 2026. With a market share of 93% in terms of value Côte d’Ivoire was the main trading partner for the EU in the first quarter. Jamaica held a share of only 4% and Frech Polynesia of 1%. France accounted for as much as 94% of the EU’s total import value, Germany for 5% and Belgium for 1%.

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