Free of charge

Walnuts: Chile declares "agricultural emergency"

September 22, 2021 at 12:26 PM , Der AUDITOR
Play report as audio

SACRAMENTO/SANTIAGO. US walnut exports end the season well above last year's result, although shipments to traditional markets were only slightly off. Meanwhile, experts in Chile fear lower yields due to the drought.

Exports increase by 26%

In the USA, the walnut export season has come to an end. According to data from California Walnuts, a total of 395,004 mt of shelled and unshelled walnuts were shipped domestically and overseas in the 2020/2021 season, which is an increase of 21% over last year. While domestic consumption increased by 7% to 103,260 mt during this period, export volumes rose by as much as 26% to 291,744 mt. The enormous increase is mainly due to higher shipments to countries such as Japan and Korea as well as Israel and Jordan, while exports to traditional markets such as Germany and Spain hardly changed in a year-on-year comparison.

The export growth was favoured by a record crop and the associated cheaper prices, and even last year's difficult logistical situation could do little to counteract this. For the 2021 crop, the USDA expects a result of only 607,800 mt, which would be a decline of 15% compared to last year.

US walnut shipments, in mt

Destination

2019/20

2020/21

Diff.

North America

104,862

112,653

7%

Africa/Middle East

77,099

106,330

38%

Europe

90,934

95,820

5%

Asia/Oceania

52,664

75,891

44%

Central/South America

320

262

-18%

Others

1,756

4,049

131%

Total

327,634

395,004

21%

California Walnuts; since the start of the season

New crop in Chile

Meanwhile, the USDA has also published the annual report for the Chilean walnut crop. According to the report, Chile may achieve a production result of 152,000 mt of walnuts in shell in the 2021/2022 season, up 2.7% from last year. For the 2020/2021 season, the result is expected to be 148,000-150,000 mt, although the yield could be affected by drought. Most walnut production takes place in the temperate, central regions. The regions of Valparaíso, Metropolitana, O'Higgins and Mauledie account for 85.6% of the walnut growing area, and for these, the Chilean government has declared a "state of agricultural emergency" in August 2021 due to a significant lack of water for irrigation.

In the European spot market, prices for Chilean walnuts in shell from the 2021 crop are largely stable. Chandler walnuts, in shell, 30-32 mm are offered for EUR 3.10/kg FCA Spain.

Walnuts

Origin, type

EUR/kg

USA, in-shell, Tulare, jumbo, 2020 crop, FCA Spain

2.10

Chile, in-shell, Chandler, 32-34 mm, 2021 crop, FCA Spain

3.15

Chile, in-shell, Chandler, 30-32 mm, 2021 crop, FCA Spain

3.10

Chile, in-shell, Serr, 30+ mm, 2021 crop, FCA Spain

3.10

Trade sources

View more
price charts for nuts, dried fruit and oilseeds and more

View related articles

Go to the News Overview
Nuts
Feb 11, 2026
SACRAMENTO/CANBERRA. Australian Almonds has now officially announced its crop forecast for the 2026 almond season. Early flowering in Northern California could pose risks.
Nuts
Feb 11, 2026
YAMOUSSOUKRO. International influences, particularly customs policy and weak demand from the USA, have led to a decline in the government-set farmgate price for cashews in some West African producing countries. However, a subsequent increase is possible.
Nuts
Feb 10, 2026
MANILA. Prices for raw coconuts are currently rising in all countries of origin, which is also affecting desiccated coconut prices. The coconut oil market is less volatile. China is buying diligently, while demand from the EU has yet to pick up.
Nuts
Feb 10, 2026
BRUSSELS. In 2025, the USA was the most important EU trading partner for nuts. Pistachios are trendy. Macadamia nuts have risen sharply in value.