Walnuts: China retains pole position
April 17, 2024 at 4:19 PM ,
Der AUDITOR
Excellent export figures
China is the most important walnut producing country by far in 2023/2024. INC production estimates stand at 1.3 million in-shell walnuts, a nominal 3.6% decline on 2022/2023. China's exports scored a record in 2023 with in-shell shipments rising by 80% and shelled walnut shipments by 49% as compared with 2022. As the exports of the current crop are going well prices have firmed, a situation which should continue throughout the season also because stocks are lower than last year.
Promising outlook in the US
According to the California Walnut Commission & Board production hit a record of 743,890 mt in 2023/2024. Favourable weather conditions benefitted growing and a higher density of bearing trees also increased production. Exports are highly satisfactory this season as demand is up in Asia and in Europe.
Although the INC has issued a production estimate over 176,448 mt for in-shell walnuts for the 2023 crop, it should be noted that Chilenut has more recently revised the production estimate upwards to 181,648 mt. India was the most important export destination for Chile in 2023, followed by Turkey and Spain. Total in-shell exports reached 174,902 mt.
Global production is firm
Global production declined by a very nominal 0.6% in 2023/2024 as compared with 2022/2023. China, the USA and Chile are the three most important producers, followed by Ukraine and Turkey, which stepped up production by 11% and 35% respectively. France, Argentina and Italy along with Australia, by contrast, witnessed sharp declines.
|
Global walnut production, in-shell basis (mt) |
|||
|
Country |
2022/23 |
2023/24 |
Diff. |
|
China |
1,400,000 |
1,350,000 |
-3.6% |
|
USA |
678,500 |
743,890 |
9.6% |
|
Chile |
187,424 |
176,448 |
-5.9% |
|
Ukraine |
70,000 |
78,000 |
11.4% |
|
Turkey |
48,000 |
65,000 |
35.4% |
|
Iran |
46,500 |
40,000 |
-14.0% |
|
Romania |
30,000 |
34,500 |
15.0% |
|
France |
50,000 |
28,000 |
-44.0% |
|
India |
31,000 |
28,000 |
-9.7% |
|
Argentina |
25,000 |
20,000 |
-20.0% |
|
Moldova |
17,800 |
18,100 |
1.7% |
|
Hungary |
13,500 |
14,000 |
3.7% |
|
Italy |
18,370 |
12,850 |
-30.0% |
|
Georgia |
8,200 |
8,000 |
-2.4% |
|
Australia |
13,500 |
7,000 |
-48.1% |
|
Others |
16,500 |
15,000 |
-9.1% |
|
Total |
2,654,294 |
2,638,788 |
-0.6% |
|
California Walnut Board and Commission, Chilenut, Walnut Growers Associationof Turkey and other INC sources |
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