Walnuts: Asia overtakes Europe
November 11, 2026 at 12:20 PM ,
Der AUDITOR
Contrary directions
In October, monthly shipments fell for inshells and rose a bit for kernels as California Walnuts most recent Shipment Report shows. At 16,142 tons in-shell shipments, in fact, stood as much as 49% lower than the 27,551 tons registered in October last year. Domestic shipments and exports thereby slumped by more than 40% to 1,224 tons and 14,918 tons respectively as compared with the 2,127 tons and 25,424 tons witnessed in October last year.
Kernel shipments, by contrast, gained by 17% to 24,749 tons as compared with the 21,196 tons recorded in October 2025. Domestic demand is the driver here as domestic shipments rose by 49% to 13,335 tons on the 8,958 tons registered last year. Exports, however, dipped by 7% to 11,414 tons as opposed to last year’s 12,238 tons.
Year-to-date developments have taken the opposite turn with shipments down for inshells but up for kernels. Grand total in-shell shipments stand a stunning 29% lower than last year with domestic shipments 38% down and exports 28% down. By contrast, the grand total shipments for kernels have risen sharply by 31% with domestic shipments surging by 46% and exports showing a more nominal upturn of 16%.
Germany switches to in-shell walnuts
Italy has maintained the position as leading destination for US in-shell walnuts, albeit with a 12% dip in shipments. Exports to Spain and the Netherlands have also declined sharply, whereas shipments to Germany range more than twice as high. At 10,085 tons the subtotal shipments to Europe stand 10% lower than last year’s 11,223 tons. Exports to Turkey have flatlined and Algeria has purchased volumes, which was not the case last year. Iraq is, however, sporting a substantial 83% fall with the subtotal shipments to the Middle East and Africa ranging 25% lower than last year’s 10,642 tons at 7,930 tons. Shipments to Asia and the Pacific Rim have even declined by 81%. Unlike last year, China has purchased volumes. Yet, exports to Vietnam have slumped by 62%. Canada has purchased a bit more than last year and the subtotal shipments to North America have declined by 31% to 2,018 tons as opposed to last year’s 2,904 tons.
|
US walnut shipments, inshell (short tons) |
|||
|
Destination |
2025/26 |
2026/27 |
Diff. |
|
Italy |
9,484 |
8,366 |
-11.8% |
|
Turkey |
6,921 |
6,939 |
0.3% |
|
USA domestic |
2,519 |
1,574 |
-37.5% |
|
Spain |
1,111 |
842 |
-24.2% |
|
Germany |
285 |
606 |
112.3% |
|
China |
0 |
430 |
- |
|
Canada |
385 |
403 |
4.5% |
|
Vietnam |
975 |
368 |
-62.3% |
|
Algeria |
0 |
264 |
- |
|
Iraq |
1,257 |
220 |
-82.5% |
|
Netherlands |
278 |
185 |
-33.6% |
|
Others |
6,845 |
1,122 |
-83.4% |
|
Export Total |
27,542 |
19,745 |
-28.3% |
|
Grand Total |
30,060 |
21,319 |
-29.1% |
|
California Walnut Board, 01/09-31/10 |
|||
Asia overtakes Europe as main buyer for kernels
For kernels, the domestic market has remained the strongest buyer with a 46% rise in shipments. Canada is also sporting a 39% increase. At 25,057 tons the subtotal volume shipped to North America stands 31% lower than last year’s 2,904 tons. Exports to Korea and Taiwan stand more than twice as high as last year with Japan and Australia also showing impressive upturns. With subtotal shipments soaring by 64% to 7,370 tons on last year’s 4,490 tons Asia has, in fact, overtaken Europe as the leading export region for US walnut kernels.
Contrary to this, the subtotal exports to Europe have dipped by 10% to 6,464 tons as compared with the 7,183 tons witnessed last year. Shipments to Spain have decreased by 13% and Germany is even showing a 71% downfall. Exports to the UK and Italy have, however, risen. Finally, exports to Israel are 36% down, which is in line with the 35% decline to 983 tons in the volume shipped to the Middle East and Africa as compared with last year’s 1,503 tons.
|
US walnut shipments, kernels (short tons) |
|||
|
Destination |
2025/26 |
2026/27 |
Diff. |
|
USA domestic |
15,945 |
23,226 |
45.7% |
|
Korea |
1,522 |
3,425 |
125.1% |
|
Spain |
2,758 |
2,392 |
-13.3% |
|
Japan |
1,634 |
2,149 |
31.5% |
|
UK |
1,409 |
1,948 |
38.2% |
|
Canada |
1,231 |
1,707 |
38.7% |
|
Taiwan |
302 |
719 |
138.0% |
|
Australia |
505 |
663 |
31.2% |
|
Italy |
527 |
568 |
7.7% |
|
Germany |
1,873 |
537 |
-71.3% |
|
Israel |
599 |
383 |
-36.0% |
|
Others |
2,352 |
2,545 |
8.2% |
|
Export Total |
14,712 |
17,036 |
15.8% |
|
Grand Total |
30,657 |
40,262 |
31.3% |
|
California Walnut Board, 01/09-31/10 |
|||
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