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Walnuts: demand surge for kernels

January 23, 2026 at 9:54 AM , Der AUDITOR
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SANTIAGO. According to Chilenut’s most recent shipment report the volume of shelled walnuts clearly exceeded the volume of inshell walnuts exported in December. Asia no longer is the top destination for inshells. Europe still is the largest buyer for shelled walnuts.

More shelled walnuts than inshells exported in December

At 1,176 mt monthly December in-shell exports stood 17% lower than last year’s 1,425 mt. Shelled walnut exports, by contrast, rose by 11%, from 2,135 mt in December 2024 to 2,372 mt in December 2025. Total exports recorded considerable growth for inshell and shelled walnuts between 21 March and 31 December 2025.

Asia no longer top destination for in-shell walnuts

Inshell exports are, in fact, roughly on par with the volumes shipped in the same period in 2023. Yet, considerable shifts have taken place this year. Exports to India as leading destination have declined by 17% and shipments to Asia/Oceania are 14% down at 30,533 mt with Vietnam displaying a sharp near tenfold rise in shipments from Chile.

By contrast, exports to the Middle East/Africa have more than doubled to 34,719 mt thereby replacing Asia as leading region. Not only have exports to Turkey risen by 62% but the United Arab Emirates are sporting a more than tenfold rise in shipments. However, exports to Morocco have slumped by 61%.

Exports to Europe have risen by 30% to 23,712 mt with differing trends in individual countries. While Italy, Spain and Germany are showing sharp rises, exports to Lithuania have dipped by 32%. Shipments to America have also gained by 11%. Peru is the leading destination here.

Walnut exports, Chile, inshell (mt)

Destination

2024

2025

Diff.

India

33,923

28,221

-16.8%

Turkey

10,541

17,081

62.0%

UAE

1,289

14,479

1,023.3%

Italy

8,361

10,596

26.7%

Spain

3,145

4,146

31.8%

Germany

1,376

3,855

180.2%

Morocco

3,969

1,563

-60.7%

Vietnam

146

1,138

679.5%

Peru

1,013

1,130

11.5%

Lithuania

1,522

1,038

-31.8%%

Others

7,184

7,924

10.3%

Total

72,469

91,171

25.8%

ChileNut, 21/03-31/12

Europe still buys lion’s share of shelled walnuts

Europe is the leading destination for shelled walnuts. Shipments to this continent have surged by 42% to 30,467 mt, which accounts for as much as 84% of the total volume exported. As shipments to the Netherlands have surged by 162% the re-exporting country now tops the chart, closely followed by Germany, which is showing a 93% rise. By contrast, exports to Spain have dipped by 7%.

Brazil and the United Arab Emirates are the only non-European countries in the top 10 chart. While exports to Brazil have risen by 5% this is in stark contrast to most other American destinations. Shipments to America as a region have declined by 12% to 3,888 mt. The United Arab Emirates are also the sole driver in the Middle East/Africa to where exports have risen by 17%.

Walnut exports, Chile, shelled (mt)

Destination

2024

2025

Diff.

Netherlands

2,957

7,753

162.2%

Germany

3,496

6,737

92.7%

Spain

5,129

4,783

-6.7%

Italy

3,144

3,795

20.7%

Brazil

1,927

2,027

5.2%

France

1,667

1,859

11.5%

Portugal

589

820

39.2%

UK

738

838

13.6%

UAE

565

678

20.0%

Switzerland

600

619

3.2%

Others

6,987

6,577

-5.9%

Total

27,799

36,486

31.2%

ChileNut, 21/03-31/12

 

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