Pistachios: industry confronted with tight supplies in 2026/2027
May 19, 2026 at 11:37 AM ,
Der AUDITOR
Global production at multi-year low
According to the figures presented at this year’s International Nut and Dried Fruit Council Congress in Macao global pistachio production will fall below 1 million mt for the first time in four years. The last time production fell below this threshold was in 2022/2023 when output reached 747,349 mt. At just 701,050 mt the projected production for 2026/2027 will range a stunning 36% lower than last year.
After witnessing a record 722,670 mt in 2025/2026 US production will fall to a multi-year low of 350,000 mt in the coming off year. By contrast, production will rise by 37% in Turkey, which will be entering an on year. Although the country will be the second largest producing country in 2026/2027, the projected 156,400 mt are a far cry from the record 415,500 mt achieved in 2024/2025. One issue is drought. This is also a great problem in Iran, which follows the same production cycle as California. Anticipation is that production will fall by as much as 42% this year.
At 940,820 mt, total supply will also decline by 28% as compared with the 1.3 million mt registered in the current season. Stakeholders are highlighting that as global demand will remain strong for pistachios, prices will certainly rise. FCA Netherlands quotations for prompt US pistachio shipments to Europe have risen to EUR 19.50/kg (USD 22.68/kg) for whole pistachios and to EUR 17.75/kg (USD 20.64/kg) for halves and pieces. Inshell prices are, however, firm at EUR 9.40/kg (USD 10.93/kg) for X1, 21-26, pistachios and at EUR 10.75/kg (USD 12.50/kg) for X1, 18-21, pistachios.
|
Global pistachio production, in-shell basis (mt) |
|||
|
Country |
2025/26 |
2026/27 |
Diff. |
|
USA |
722,670 |
350,000 |
-51.4% |
|
Turkey |
114,600 |
156,400 |
36.5% |
|
Iran |
225,000 |
130,000 |
-42.3% |
|
Syria |
13,550 |
35,000 |
158.3% |
|
Spain |
9,500 |
11,500 |
21.1% |
|
Greece |
6,000 |
8,500 |
41.7% |
|
Italy |
4,700 |
1,000 |
-88.7% |
|
Australia |
3,000 |
5,500 |
83.3% |
|
Afghanistan |
2,600 |
2,700 |
3.8% |
|
China |
320 |
450 |
40.6% |
|
Total |
1,101,740 |
701,050 |
-36.4% |
|
Administrative Committee for Pistachios, Iran Pistachio Association, Greek Nuts & Fruits Trade Association, Australia Pistachio Growers’ Association, European Pistachio Council, and other INC sources |
|||
Slowdown in US exports
Monthly shipments dipped in April. While total shipments still stood at 69.4 million pounds in April 2025, they ranged 4% lower in April this year at 67 million pounds. Main driver was a 10% decline in exports, which fell from 52.3 million pounds in April 2025 to a multi-year low of 47 million pounds in April 2026. Domestic shipments, by contrast, rose to 20.1 million pounds, which is 17% up on the 17.2 million pounds recorded in April last year.
Year-to-date shipments stand 20% higher than last year with exports as the main driver in displaying a 25% hike and domestic shipments also 4% up. Vietnam has taken the lead over China as former top export destination with shipments more than tripling. Issue is that China has shifted supply chains, which also explains the sharp rise in shipments to Hong Kong. Subtotal exports to Asia have climbed by 8%, form 229.4 million pounds in 2024/2025 to 246.9 million pounds in 2025/2026. Monthly shipments to the region, however, slowed in April.
Germany is the leading destination in Europe. Shipments to here are 13% up. Italy and Spain are also showing impressive gains of 23% and 60% respectively. At 243.4 million pounds the subtotal to Europe stands 26% higher than last year’s 193.8 million pounds. Shipments, however, slowed in April.
Exports to Turkey have also more than doubled. Although other destinations in the Middle East and Africa such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are also showing impressive year-to-date gains, monthly shipments to all destinations in the region slowed in April. At 126.6 million pounds year-to-date exports to Africa and the Middle East, however, stand a stunning 79% higher than last year’s 70.7 million pounds. Crop receipts stood at 1.59 billion pounds and the estimated marketable inventory at 511.6 million pounds as of 30 April 2026.
|
US pistachio shipments (1,000 pounds) |
|||
|
Destination |
2024/25 |
2025/26 |
Diff. |
|
Vietnam |
35,068 |
116,263 |
231.5% |
|
Germany |
70,807 |
80,198 |
13.3% |
|
Hong Kong |
6,808 |
50,257 |
638,2% |
|
Turkey |
18,972 |
44,433 |
134.2% |
|
Spain |
30,064 |
36,957 |
22.9% |
|
Italy |
19,120 |
30,513 |
59.6% |
|
UAE |
16,716 |
23,296 |
39.4% |
|
India |
20,816 |
19,635 |
-5.7% |
|
Saudi Arabia |
10,947 |
18,874 |
72.4% |
|
China |
147,989 |
17,813 |
-88.0% |
|
Others |
149,850 |
218,960 |
46.1% |
|
Total Domestic |
159,812 |
166,063 |
3.9% |
|
Total Exports |
527,157 |
657,199 |
24.7% |
|
Grand Total |
686,968 |
823,262 |
19.8% |
|
Administrative Committee for Pistachios, 01/09-30/04 |
|||
View more
- price charts, pistachios, Iran
- more price charts
View related articles
