Pistachios: USA still depends on China
August 20, 2025 at 9:00 AM ,
Der AUDITOR
Downturn in shipments
The “Shipment Report” issued by the Administrative Committee for Pistachios for July highlights that exports are not performing that bad this season. At 896 million pounds total shipments may range as much as 20% lower than the record volume of 1.11 billion pounds shipped in September to July 203/2024, yet the figure ranges 8% higher than the 832 million pounds shipped in the last “off year” in 2022//2023. Although domestic shipments have only dipped by 4% to 221 million pounds in the annual comparison, it should be noted that this figure is smaller than any of the volumes shipped in the same period in the past three years. Domestic shipments, in fact, ranged 2% higher at 225.71 million pounds in 2022/2023.
Exports have contracted by 24% to 674.87 million pounds as compared with last year’s record 882.32 million pounds. Yet, this figure still ranges above the 606.53 million pounds shipped in the same period in 2022/2023 and the 524.91 million pounds in 2021/2022 showing that the export market has experienced a sustained growth in recent years.
China still tops the chart
Despite shipments to China witnessing a downturn of 49%, the country still accounts for 23% of US pistachio exports. Negotiations between the two countries concerning tariffs are still underway but trade tensions have created a highly uncertain situation for importers and exporters in recent months. Exports to Germany have declined by a moderate 7% this season so far. At present Germany accounts for 14% of total exports. Demand has surged here in recent years with product innovations and health-conscious snacking as drivers. Shipments to Vietnam have surged by 51%.
|
US pistachio shipments (1,000 pounds) |
|||
|
Destination |
2023/24 |
2024/25 |
Diff. |
|
China |
299,872 |
152,879 |
-49.0% |
|
Germany |
98,082 |
91,626 |
-6.6% |
|
Vietnam |
32,965 |
49,608 |
50.5% |
|
Spain |
38,335 |
40,293 |
5.1% |
|
India |
31,285 |
34,913 |
11.6% |
|
Italy |
27,493 |
28,668 |
4.3% |
|
Turkey |
56,631 |
26,720 |
-52.8% |
|
UAE |
26,090 |
23,533 |
-9.8% |
|
Canada |
21,031 |
21,852 |
3.9% |
|
Netherlands |
17,908 |
16,900 |
-5.6% |
|
Others |
232,627 |
187,875 |
-19.2% |
|
Total Domestic |
231,534 |
221,250 |
-4.4% |
|
Total Exports |
882,319 |
674,867 |
-23.5% |
|
Grand Total |
1,113,853 |
896,118 |
-19.5% |
|
Administrative Committee for Pistachios, 01/09-31/07 |
|||
Excellent prospects for 2025/2026
Prospects for 2025/2026 are highly encouraging for the US pistachio industry. After favourable weather conditions in California in spring and a relatively mild summer growers are reckoning with a record crop of around 1.6 billion pounds. With geopolitical tensions prevailing in the Middle East and Turkey entering an off year in terms of production US exporters will also find themselves in an advantageous position internationally. As Olam, however, highlights counter tariffs in China may impeded shipments to the largest market for pistachios and large carry-over stocks in other producing countries may increase available supplies for customers in the EU.
View more
- price charts, pistachios, Iran
- more price charts
View related articles
