Walnuts: differing trends
August 26, 2026 at 12:04 PM ,
Der AUDITOR
Contrasting developments
While in-shell exports fell by 31% in July to 9,900 mt as compared with the 14,337 mt shipped in July last year, shelled walnut exports rose by 16%, form 4,684 mt in July 2025 to 5,422 mt in July 2026. At 24,432 mt monthly in-shell equivalent exports, therefore, range 12% lower than last year.
Total exports are showing a similar trend. In-shell exports have declined, whereas shelled walnut exports are up. Total in-shell equivalent exports stand 3% lower at 70,221 mt than the 72,709 mt recorded in April 2024 to July 2025.
Europe buys less inshells
With an impressive 90% surge in shipments from Chile India is back in the game as the most important trading partner by far this season. Although India also topped the chart last year, shipments were more subdued. By contrast, exports to Vietnam have declined sharply by 48%. The subtotal to Asia/Oceania has surged by 78% to 18,944 mt as opposed to the 10,621 mt witnessed in 2024/2025.
Shipments to Italy have declined by 6% and Spain is even showing a 46% downturn. In fact, exports to all major destinations in Europe have declined - with the noted exception of Russia, to where shipments range more than twice as high as last year. At 12.965 mt Chile’s subtotal shipments to Europe stand 15% lower than last year’s 15,241 mt.
While shipments to Turkey have slumped by 49%, exports to Morocco have more than doubled. Lebanon is showing a 38% fall. Subtotal shipments to the Middle East/Africa have also fallen by 50%, from 21,148 mt in 2024/2025 to 10,579 mt in the current season.
Chile’s neighbour Peru has witnessed a 17% rise in shipments. Subtotal exports to America have, in fact, risen by 35% to 1,327 mt as compared with the 981 mt registered last year.
|
Walnut exports, Chile, inshell (mt) |
|||
|
Destination |
2025 |
2026 |
Diff. |
|
India |
9,647 |
18,342 |
90.1% |
|
Italy |
7,003 |
6,568 |
-6.2% |
|
Turkey |
12,586 |
6,419 |
-49.0% |
|
Morocco |
1,416 |
3,411 |
140.9% |
|
Spain |
3,007 |
1,627 |
-45.9% |
|
Peru |
763 |
889 |
16.5% |
|
Russia |
314 |
724 |
130.6% |
|
Germany |
2,434 |
644 |
-73.5% |
|
Vietnam |
786 |
412 |
-47.6% |
|
Lebanon |
487 |
303 |
-37.8% |
|
Others |
9,548 |
4,467 |
-53.2% |
|
Total |
47,991 |
43,806 |
-8.7% |
|
ChileNut, 01/04-31/07 |
|||
Europe as mixed bag for shelled walnut exports
Chile’s shelled walnut exports have risen by 7%. Shipments to Italy as the leading destination have surged by 37%. By contrast, exports to other main European destinations such as Spain, Germany and the Netherlands and Switzerland have declined. UK shipments are however 8% up and Portugal’s 16%. Exports to Poland have even surged more than tenfold. At 9,680 mt the subtotal shipments to Europe stand 3% lower than last year’s 9,970 mt.
Brazil and Ecuador are the only non-European trading partners featuring in the top ten with impressive three-digit rises. Subtotal exports to America have surged by 128% to 1,918 mt as compared with last year’s 843 mt.
|
Walnut exports, Chile, shelled (mt) |
|||
|
Destination |
2025 |
2026 |
Diff. |
|
Italy |
1,428 |
1,958 |
37.1% |
|
Spain |
2,018 |
1,864 |
-7.6% |
|
Germany |
2,478 |
1,650 |
-33.4% |
|
Netherlands |
2,123 |
1,265 |
-40.4% |
|
Brazil |
297 |
1,042 |
250.8% |
|
UK |
342 |
372 |
8.8% |
|
Ecuador |
144 |
348 |
141.7% |
|
Portugal |
257 |
299 |
16.3% |
|
Switzerland |
283 |
214 |
-24.4% |
|
Poland |
10 |
187 |
1,710% |
|
Others |
2,114 |
3,084 |
45.9% |
|
Total |
11,494 |
12,283 |
6.9% |
|
ChileNut, 01/04-31/07 |
|||
Prices soften in China
Although prices have recently been on the rise in China, the situation is now starting to change. With harvesting underway, the quotations for 90% extra light halves have softened again for shipments to Europe. The prices for 80% extra light halves are, however, firm.
|
Walnut kernels, China |
|
|
Variety |
USD/mt |
|
ELH 80%, XIN2 |
5,160 |
|
ELH 90%, 185 |
4,890 |
|
CFR EMP, 21.5 mt/40 Reefer |
|
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