Free of charge

Walnuts: A success story

April 26, 2017 at 8:26 AM , Der AUDITOR
Play report as audio

SACRAMENTO. Low price levels and good yield results are ensuring a successful progression of the 2016/17 season on the US walnut market.

In recent years, the production figures for US walnuts rose continuously and reached a new record high in 2016 at 616,923 mt. According to a study by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), around 315,000 ha of bearing walnut trees were registered in California in 2016, accompanied by about 60,000-65,000 ha of non-bearing trees.  

US walnut production

Season

mt

2016/17

616,923

2015/16

546,218

2014/15

510,307

2013/14

443,600

2012/13

449,095

Source: Walnut Board

Exports decoded
Since the beginning of the season, a total of 306,769 t of US walnuts were delivered, an increase of 29% compared to last year. Until now, 57,750 t (+14%) were sold on the domestic market, and deliveries to Europe even rose by more than one third within this period. The biggest leap by far was achieved by Italian suppliers, as they increased their imports by 48% to 25,920 t. But the two other large customers on the European market, Germany and Spain, also increased their imports respectively by 20% to 24.452 t and by 18% to 16,809 t. In contrast, exports to Central and South America are trailing far behind. 

US walnut exports in mt

Country

2015/16

2016/17

Diff.

Europe

59,493

76,271

28%

Asia/Oceania

64,212

79,989

25%

Africa/Middle East

54,731

83,265

52%

Central/South America

525

169

-68%

North America

57,094

63,389

11%

Other

1,188

3,687

210%

Total

237,244

306,769

29%

Since the beginning of the season

View related articles

Go to the News Overview
Nuts
Jan 29, 2026
ORDU. Ferrero may enter the market for hazelnuts very soon and the first flower counts are about to start for the 2026 crop. High costs are driving sentiments. Demand is leaving much to be desired.
Nuts
Jan 27, 2026
MANILA. Price trends for coconut products are currently very mixed. While the market for desiccated coconuts remains stable, the international coconut oil market is quiet. Meanwhile, the copra market is largely firm.
Nuts
Jan 26, 2026
BRUSSELS. Macadamias were in high demand in 2025. As official EU statistics show imports rose to new records. South Africa and Kenya were the main trading partners.
Nuts
Jan 26, 2026
NEW DELHI/BRUSSELS. Indonesia has once again tightened its controls, resulting in Indian agricultural goods being detained at ports. This is causing uncertainty, as is the lower demand for Ramadan. EU imports are declining slightly.