Nuts
Free of charge

Walnuts: Active trade supports prices

November 2, 2017 at 10:57 PM , Starry Night Ltd.
Play report as audio

SOFIA. Some larger market players are booked till the beginning of next month. The lack of carry-over and strong demand embolden local sellers.

BULGARIA. According to a recent USDA report on Tree Nuts: World Markets and Trade, (in shell basis) EU walnut output for the current marketing season is forecasted at 115,000 mt, which stands slightly down from that of last year by just 1.43%; domestic consumption is forecasted to increase to 360,000 mt or up 1.22% from that of season 2016-17; exports from EU members is to reach 15,000 mt or 11.11% higher; while imports are projected to come to 260,000 mt, rising from 252,500 mt of last year.

Walnuts: booked till next month

Since marketable carry-over of last year was literally zero, buyers of organic walnuts are quick to cover their short-term positions. Organic walnuts are in high demand, and indeed some owners of bio orchards saw their produce taken while the nut was still on trees. Conventional owners are no exception to the rule! Since demand is so strong so early in the season, farmers of organic walnuts readily unload their quantities in shell, some are even refusing to crack the nut. Bigger local sellers are already working on orders a few weeks away.

In the realm of prices

At the beginning of the marketing season, local prices are kept stubbornly high, ceteris paribus, since from all other countries in Eastern Europe, farmers start to collect the nut earlier in the season. Yet, once the Ukrainian walnut starts to ‘rain’ over to EU markets, local prices of conventional walnuts visibly start to reflect the newly established trend. Indeed, local exporters do not shun walnuts with Ukrainian origin as one of their stock-in-trades, and many a bad years have stood firmly as a proof of that. Prices of organic kernels are expected to remain high since the greater majority of the kernel is locally realized and there is no import threat to loom on the horizon to pressure prices down.

Organic walnuts, Bulgaria

Type

EUR/kg

light kernels (mix)

9.07

light halves

9.65

light quarters

8.65

light brokens

7.85

amber kernels (mix)

8.03

amber halves

8.55

amber quarters

7.65

amber brokens

6.95

in shell

4.10

EXW Bulgaria
   

Walnuts, Bulgaria

Type

EUR/kg

light kernels (mix)

7.56

light halves

8.16

light quarters

7.14

light brokens

6.20

amber kernels (mix)

6.15

amber halves

6.15

amber quarters

6.15

amber brokens

6.15

in shell

2.07

EXW Bulgaria

 

 

 

View related articles

Go to the News Overview
Nuts
Dec 12, 2025
Hazelnuts: U-turn comes with worries
ORDU. In Turkey, the hazelnut market has shifted into reverse mode with wide price gaps existing. There is wide room for speculations as to what way the market will turn in the second half of the season and who may have to pay the bill.
Nuts
Dec 11, 2025
Pistachios: sharp downward revisions
REUS. According to the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council’s (INC) most recent production estimates for pistachios, global production will decline despite the US bumper crop. Output is not in line with expectations in Iran and Turkey. Spain holds quite an advantage.
Nuts
Dec 10, 2025
Pecans: sharply revised estimates
REUS. In November, the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC) sharply revised the production estimates for pecans. Supplies are an issue in the US. South Africa reports a record crop. Floods have hit China and Brazil.
Nuts
Dec 10, 2025
Desiccated coconuts: massive damage in Asian growing regions
MANILA/HANOI. Extreme weather events in recent weeks have led to chaotic conditions in some growing countries. The extent of the damage is currently still being assessed. Prices for desiccated coconuts remain largely stable, while other coconut products are proving to be much more volatile.