Pistachios: staggering US exports

May 6, 2024 at 10:35 AM , Der AUDITOR
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FRESNO/TEHRAN. US pistachio exports set a record in March. Yet, shipments to India are down. Prices have become more competitive in Iran.

Sluggish domestic shipments

Total domestic shipments missed a record for pistachios in September 2023 to March 2024. Although shipments reached 148.6 million pounds, this is only 1% up on last year’s 146.7 million pounds and falls short of the 159 million pounds witnessed in 2021/2022. Yet, exports showed a totally different picture. Monthly exports reached a record 88.6 million pounds in March and total shipments surged by 77% as compared with last year to a record 675.8 million pounds. This leaves an estimated marketable inventory of 525.7 million pounds.

China is the leading export destination accounting for more than 30% of US shipments. Exports to Germany have also risen by more than 150%. Sharp rises have, in fact, been witnessed in all top ten destinations with the noted exceptions of India, where shipments have even declined a bit, and Hong Kong where shipments have flatlined. US crop receipts stand firm at a record 1.49 billion pounds.

US pistachio exports (1,000 pounds)

Destination

2022/23

2023/24

Diff.

China

104,165

264,510

152.9%

Germany

27,376

69,675

154.5%

Turkey

35,745

43,346

21.3%

Spain

14,936

24,062

61.1%

Vietnam

14,738

22,051

49.6%

India

22,269

21,987

-1.3%

UAE

15,250

20,990

37.6%

Hong Kong

19,431

19,528

0.5%

Italy

15,166

16,681

10.0%

Canada

12,609

14,059

11.5%

Others

46,726

158,917

240.1%

Total

382,411

675,806

76.7%

Administrative Committee for Pistachios, 01/09-31/03

Firm prices in Iran

Pistachios hit a price floor in February as demand for kernels was relatively high. Shipments also picked up in February/March because prices became more competitive as Iran’s Pistachio Association highlights. Yet, prices slightly rebounded again until April. Last month saw a noted declined in prices in the first half, after which the market remained relatively flat.

Pistachios, Iran

Inshell, NO

EUR/kg*

USD/kg*

Ahmad Aghaei, 24-26

8.43

9.08

Ahmad Aghaei, 26-28

8.26

8.90

Akbari, 20-22

10.31

11.11

Akbari 22-24

9.97

10.74

Kale Ghuchi, 22-24

9.46

10.19

Kale Ghuchi 24-26

9.20

9.91

Fandoghi, 30-32

7.07

7.62

Fandoghi 32-34

6.90

7.43

FOB Iran

 

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price chart pistachios ahmad aghaei 24-26
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price chart pistachios Fandoghi 30-32

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