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Pistachios: buyers in EU prefer US pistachios

May 20, 2020 at 1:29 PM , Der AUDITOR
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TEHRAN/SACRAMENTO. Subdued demand, difficult conditions and financial problems have prompted a 22% decline in exports in Iran between September 2019 and March 2020. Pistachio exports range as low as 85,000 metric tonnes. US shipments have also decreased sharply this season.

Exports are down in Iran

Although the Far East remains the most important export destination for Iran, it should be noted that shipments to China declined by 44% over the same period two years ago. Traders also point out that the US supplied 69% of all pistachio shipments to the Far East and Iran only 44%. By contrast, Iran holds a larger market share in Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. Out of the 20,000 metric tonnes shipped from Iran and the US, Iran supplied 83% and the US 17%.

A similar picture emerges in shipments to India. Out of the total volume 13,000 metric tonnes shipped from Iran and the US to India, Iran supplied 86% and the US 14%. Traders reckon that India has great potential for quality pistachios. The European market, however, clearly favour US pistachios as the US shipments hold a share of 73%, whereas Iran’s shipments declined to as little as 10,000 mt.

After the coronavirus passed its peak in Iran domestic demand started to rise. Ramadan has also prompted a rise in domestic demand. Exchange rate fluctuations have, however, prompted prices to decline by EUR 0.02-0.03 per kg over the last two weeks, depending on variety. The noted exception are, however, Akbari pistachios, which are trading EUR 0.11 per kg higher. This rise is prompted by low inventories.

Pistachios, Iran

Type

EUR/kg

Ahmad Aghaei, 22-24

6.95

Ahmad Aghaei, 24-26

6.69

Akbari, 20-22

7.29

Akbari, 22-24

7.02

Kale Ghuchi, 22-24

6.82

Kale Ghucci, 24-26

6.62

Fandoghi, 30-32

6.15

Fandoghi, 32-34

5.95

FOB Iran

 

US exports decline by 28.9%

Overseas shipments have also notably declined in the US. As the Administrative Committee for Pistachios has recently reported exports have declined by nearly 29% since last year between September and April. Domestic shipments range at 62,684.45 metric tonnes, which brings total shipments to 184,467 metric tonnes. The remaining market inventories are estimated at 136,640.69 metric tonnes. China remains the most important export destination with shipments ranging at 31358.14 metric tonnes (-31% on 2018/2019), followed by Germany at 19,029.93 metric tonnes (+10%) and Hong Kong at 15,872.74 metric tonnes (-49%).

US pistachio exports in mt

Destination

2018/2019*

2019/2020*

Diff.

North/Central America

7,366.77

7393.78

0.4%

South America

677.19

639.69

-5.5%

Europe

52,313.12

42,528.00

-18.7%

Asia

88,012.10

56,116.45

-36.2%

Middle East/Africa

20,969.10

13,366.34

-36.3%

Australia/Oceania

1,889.96

1,738.21

-8.0%

Total

171,228.23

121,782.49

-28.9%

Administrative Committee for Pistachios Inventory Shipment Reports, *Sept-Apr

 

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