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Walnuts: China retains pole position

April 17, 2024 at 4:19 PM , Der AUDITOR
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BEIJING/REUS. China has remained the most important producer for walnuts as the latest International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC) estimates show. The prospects for the 2024 crop are promising.

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
March 2024

 

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