Pistachios: exports to Gulf States hit by war
April 22, 2026 at 2:16 PM ,
Der AUDITOR
March shipments not too impressive
At 88 million pounds monthly shipments may have ranged 3% higher than the 85 million pounds recorded in March 2025, yet they fall 20% short of the 110 million pounds shipped two years ago, in the previous on year. While exports rose by 7% to 67 million pounds as compared with 63 million pounds recorded in March 2025, domestic shipments dipped 6% from 22 million pounds in March last year to 21 million pounds in March this year.
Exports to the Gulf States take a hit
Total shipments show similar trends. Although they have risen by 23% on last year’s 618 million pounds to 756 million pounds, they still range 8% lower than the record 824 million pounds registered in 2023/2024. While exports have risen by an impressive 29% on last year, domestic shipments are showing a more moderate upturn of 2%.
Exports to Vietnam have more than quadrupled this season. Shipments to Hong Kong also range more than eight times higher than last year. By contrast, exports to India range 10% lower and former top destination China is sporting a 90% decline. At 234 million pounds shipments to Asia, however, range 9% higher than last year’s 215 million pounds.
Exports to Germany have gained by 18% with Spain and Italy also showing impressive rises. Subtotal shipments to Europe have, in fact, risen by 31% to 220 million pounds as compared with the 167 million pounds witnessed last year.
Although monthly exports to the Middle East/Africa gained by 22% to 11 million pounds in March as opposed to the 9 million pounds registered in March 2025, shipments to the Gulf countries have taken a hit. Exports to the United Arab Emirates are indicated in brackets at a mere 57,599 pounds, whereas 2 million pounds were recorded in March 2025. Exports to Saudia Arabia also slumped by 48% to 599,500 pounds as compared with the 1 million pounds noted last year.
Issue is that shipments to the region have stalled and been redirected since the US and Israel led war against Iran started on 28 February and the Strait of Hormuz was blocked. As demand has surged this season so far, exports to these two countries still stand 49% and 77% higher than last year. At 121 million pounds subtotal exports to the Middle East/Africa as a region also range a stunning 89% higher than last year’s 64 million pounds.
|
US pistachio shipments (1,000 pounds) |
|||
|
Destination |
2024/25 |
2025/26 |
Diff. |
|
Vietnam |
27,909 |
112,633 |
303.6% |
|
Germany |
62,087 |
73,531 |
18.4% |
|
Hong Kong |
5,695 |
48,753 |
756.1% |
|
Turkey |
17,836 |
43,577 |
144.3% |
|
Spain |
26,368 |
33,571 |
27.3% |
|
Italy |
16,244 |
27,950 |
72.1% |
|
UAE |
15,573 |
23,252 |
49.3% |
|
Saudi Arabia |
9,917 |
17,558 |
77.0% |
|
India |
18,416 |
16,631 |
-9.7% |
|
China |
145,534 |
15,120 |
-89.6% |
|
Others |
129,327 |
197,664 |
52.8% |
|
Total Domestic |
142,645 |
145,994 |
2.3% |
|
Total Exports |
474,906 |
610,240 |
28.5% |
|
Grand Total |
617,551 |
756,234 |
22.5% |
|
Administrative Committee for Pistachios, 01/09-31/03 |
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California set to profit from Iran war
Reports indicate that the Iran war, by which trading has become extremely difficult in the second largest producing country, is an opportunity for California to increase sales, despite shipments to the Middle East being cancelled and the prices for fuel and fertilisers being on the rise. As Nick Moss from Expana highlights logistical challenges are restricting access for Iranian pistachios to the United Arab Emirates and Turkey, which act as important hubs. Silver lining, however, is that the crop does not appear to have been damaged as the orchards are mainly located in northeastern Iran. This limits global supplies, even for buyers who do not directly source in Iran. On top of this, demand has risen in recent years. US Benchmark prices have witnessed a 30% hike since 2023.
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