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Walnuts: Germany ups imports by 30%

September 20, 2018 at 11:02 AM , Der AUDITOR
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SACRAMENTO/KIEV. Despite the significantly smaller US walnut crop in 2017, German buyers have so far imported 30% more in 2018 than last year.

 

New nuts from the east
Although a minor decrease in production is expected for this year, many major walnut-growing countries are reckoning with a good crop. The USA are one of the few producers that, after last year's rather disappointing results, can actually hope for a bumper crop in 2018. In total, global walnut production is expected to reach almost 2 million mt in 2018/19.

In Eastern Europe, growers have already started harvesting and the first export deliveries are scheduled for late September. In south-western France, on the other hand, growers will not be starting the harvest until mid-October, with the dried nuts being supplied from December.

The prices for walnut kernels from 2017 are largely stable, while Chilean walnut pieces from last year are cheaper than a week ago. 

Walnut kernel prices (2017 crop)

Product

EUR/kg

80% light halves, EXW Poland

6.11

Broken, light, EXW Germany

6.65

Broken, light, DDP Germany

6.51

Trade sources

Shelled walnuts are popular
Germany has increased imports of shelled walnuts by a good t30% compared to last year. In particular, imports of US walnuts have risen significantly. According to the Federal Statistical Office of Germany, imports between January and July 2018 amounted to 19,888 mt, around 30% more than in the first seven months of 2017. Imports from other growing countries such as Moldova, China and France were also up, while fewer walnuts were imported from Chile. 

Walnut imports Germany in mt (Jan-Jul)

Country

2018

2017

Y-o-y diff.

USA

19,888

15,255

30%

Moldova

2,316

1,017

128%

Chile

1,346

1,606

-16%

China

1,283

122

951%

Ukraine

643

107

504%

France

566

676

-16%

Romania

436

547

-20%

India

271

215

26%

Netherlands

242

48

403%

Austria

175

143

22%

Hungary

45

42

7%

Turkey

24

11

116%

Federal Statistical Office of Germany

 

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