Pine nuts: production in Asia could double
August 24, 2026 at 4:54 PM ,
Der AUDITOR
Larger crop expected
The global pine nut crop could recover in the 2026/2027 season, although results as good as those achieved in some parts of the 2024/2025 season are not expected, according to the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council in the July issue of its Nutfruit Magazine. According to INC data, 174,005 mt of in-shell pine nuts (approx. 44,840 mt shelled) were commercially harvested worldwide in the 2024/2025 marketing year; last year, the figure was just 84,590 mt (approx. 25,762 mt shelled). The current forecast for the coming 2026/2027 season stands at 159,180 mt (approx. 42,072 mt shelled). Together with carry-over stocks from last year, global availability is estimated at 176,590 mt (approx. 47,521 mt shelled).
At that time, however, China alone had produced around 111,500 mt of in-shell pine nuts, of which about 30,000 mt were carried over into the new season, whose crop amounted to just 30,000 mt. In 2026/2027, the crop is now expected to double to 60,000 mt, though this is still well below the figure for the season before last. Russia (+264% year-on-year) and Mongolia (+400% year-on-year) are expected to produce higher crops again this year, but are still a long way from a bountiful yield. In Afghanistan, too, more than twice as many pine nuts are expected to be harvested as last year. The majority of these are currently still being processed in Pakistan – whose crop is expected to fall by 62% to 2,000 mt – although more and more pine nut shelling and processing plants are also being built in Afghanistan.
Steady demand from Europe ensured that pine nut exports from Turkey remained stable at the start of the season, despite higher prices. The country expects a crop of 8,900 mt for 2026/2027 (+17% year-on-year). According to the INC report, Spain and Portugal are more optimistic about the new crop and expect a slightly better result than initially anticipated; year-on-year, the crop is set to increase at least tenfold to 670 mt in each country.
|
Global pine nut production, in-shell, in mt |
|||
|
Asia |
2025/26 |
2026/27 |
Diff. |
|
China |
30,000 |
60,000 |
100.0% |
|
Russia (Sibiria) |
11,000 |
40,000 |
263.6% |
|
North Korea |
20,000 |
20,000 |
0.0% |
|
Afghanistan |
7,800 |
16,000 |
105.1% |
|
Mongolia |
2,000 |
10,000 |
400.0% |
|
Pakistan |
5,200 |
2,000 |
-61.5% |
|
Subtotal |
76,000 |
148,000 |
94.7% |
|
Mediterranean |
2025/26 |
2026/27 |
Diff. |
|
Turkey |
7,600 |
8,900 |
17.1% |
|
Portugal |
60 |
670 |
1,016.7% |
|
Spain |
50 |
670 |
1,240.0% |
|
Italy |
500 |
500 |
0.0% |
|
Others |
380 |
440 |
15.8% |
|
Subtotal |
8,590 |
11,180 |
30.2% |
|
Total |
84,590 |
159,180 |
88.2% |
|
INC, July 2026 |
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EU imports down by 21%
Between 1 August 2025 and 31 July 2026, EU countries imported a total of 8,698 mt of pine nuts (-21% yoy) worth EUR 190.840 million (-0.4% yoy). The average import price of EUR 21.94 per kg was a quarter higher than last year (EUR 17.49/kg).
With 7,780 mt, accounting for 89% of total imports, China remains by far the most important supplier, although shipments fell by 12% year-on-year. Imports from other major origins, such as Turkey (-23% to 595 mt), Mongolia (-73% to 94 mt) and Russia (-99% to 8 mt), also declined. By contrast, shipments from Afghanistan (+155% yoy) and Pakistan (+1,117% yoy) increased. The main buyer within the EU was Germany (-16% to 4,508 mt), followed by Italy (-1% to 1,674 mt), the Netherlands (-29% to 886 mt) and Spain (-17% to 698 mt).
On the European spot market, prices for Yunnan pine nuts, Count 950/100, stand at EUR 21,950/mt FCA Netherlands.
|
EU pine nut imports, shelled, in mt |
|||
|
Partner |
2024/25 |
2025/26 |
Diff. |
|
China |
8,817 |
7,780 |
-11.8% |
|
Turkey |
775 |
595 |
-23.2% |
|
Afghanistan |
42 |
107 |
154.8% |
|
Mongolia |
342 |
94 |
-72.5% |
|
Pakistan |
6 |
73 |
1.116.7% |
|
Russia |
818 |
8 |
-99.0% |
|
Others |
159 |
41 |
-74.2% |
|
Total |
10,959 |
8,698 |
-20.6% |
|
DG AGRI TAXUD Customs Surveillance System, 01/08-31/07 08029200 Fresh or dried pine nuts, shelled |
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