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Pistachios: EU lifts spending

May 9, 2023 at 9:27 AM , Der AUDITOR
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BRUSSELS. In 2012 importers in the EU only spent EUR 328 million (USD 360 million) on in-shell pistachios. While this spending increased continuously in the past ten years, the volumes imported show a less straightforward trend.

Historic high

Although the import volume declined by 5% in 2022 as compared with 2021 as recently issued Eurostat figures illustrate, the import value has risen to a historic high of EUR 710.725 million (USD 781.335 million). This is also 8% up on the EUR 654.614 million (USD 719.649) spent in 2021. In terms of volume the trend is not quite as steady as shipments continuously rose in 2012-2022 with the noted exception of 2016, 2018 and 2022. The EU imported 52,471 mt of pistachios in 2012. Although the import value has risen more than twofold since 2021, the import volume is not quite there yet.

US in strong position

The USA has been the most important supplier by far for the EU since 2012, followed by Iran. Although US shipments rose by 11% in 2022 many EU member states have reduced imports in 2022/2023 as the recent shipment reports issued by the Administrative Committee for Pistachios show. As California anticipates a rise in production this year, shipments to the EU may, however, pick up again in the fourth quarter.

Last year the volumes shipped from Iran tumbled to the second lowest level on record as a lower volume of 5,164 mt was only seen in 2019. Issue is that sudden frosts impacted last year’s production. Although prospects are quite encouraging for this year’s production as the weather has been good so far, caution prevails as many orchards are not in good shape and sanctions continue to disrupt production and trade.

EU pistachio imports (in kg)

Country

2021

2022

Diff.

USA

75,800,252

84,194,395

11.0%

Iran

18,808,893

5,709,853

-69.7%

Argentina

158,652

189,960

19.7%

Turkey

430,644

150,869

-65.0%

UK

127,632

67,523

-47.1%

UAE

24,320

36,004

48.0%

Syria

172,357

28,936

-83.2%

Hong Kong

-

24,002

-

Afghanistan

29,682

23,661

-20.3%

Switzerland

3,450

15,051

336.3%

Others

27,014

16,906

-37.5%

Total

95,582,896

90,457,160

-5.4%

Eurostat (Comext) 20/03/23
HS Code 08025100 – Fresh or dried pistachios, in shell

 

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