Chestnuts market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the chestnut market volume in CIS countries increased by more than 68%, reaching a peak of 2 483 t in 2022. This growth was driven by a rise in imports, which more than doubled over the period, and was supported by growing consumer demand for healthy foods, a trend amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic. State support for agriculture and investments in modern farming technologies also helped maintain stable domestic production.

A significant import surge to 1 859 t in 2022 was partly influenced by global supply chain disruptions, which encouraged increased stockpiling. Concurrently, legislative changes aimed at enhancing product labeling, traceability, and quality standards provided further market structure. Domestic output remained around 600 t annually, showing resilience amid these shifts.

Market volume contracted by 20% to 1 971 t in 2023, aligning with a post-pandemic normalization of demand and adjustments in international trade flows. The sector's underlying stability was reflected in sustained production profitability, bolstered by continued adoption of advanced agrotechnologies and product diversification efforts.

Production chestnuts in CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of chestnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of chestnuts, 2017-2020

Following two consecutive years of decline, chestnut production in the CIS rebounded in 2020. Output reached 609.7 t that year, marking a 2.7% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production overall decreased by 3.8%, translating to a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 593.4 t, which also saw the steepest annual decline of 3.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in CIS in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports chestnuts from CIS

Exports in kind, t

CIS chestnut exports totaled 16 t in 2020, representing a 13.8% increase compared to the previous year. However, over the full 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 21.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.6%. The lowest export volume occurred in 2019 at 14 t, while the peak was in 2018 at 22 t. The most significant annual drop was recorded in 2019, when exports fell by 36.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from CIS in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the primary destinations for CIS chestnut exports in volume terms were Afghanistan and Iraq, each accounting for 11.2% of total exports, followed by Ukraine at 2.3%. Together, these three countries represented 24.7% of all export flows during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from CIS in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values for CIS chestnuts showed notable fluctuations between 2017 and 2020. The lowest point was recorded in 2017, followed by a peak in 2019, with a 3.2-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, export value amounted to 39 K $ US, down 29.5% from 2019. The highest value was 55 K $ US in 2019, which followed the largest annual increase of 216.8% in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from CIS in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In terms of value from 2017 to 2020, Iraq was the leading destination for CIS chestnut exports, accounting for 28.8% of the total. Afghanistan followed with 9.5%, and Turkmenistan contributed 0.8%. Combined, these three countries represented 39.1% of total export value during this period.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from CIS in value, 2017-2020

Imports chestnuts to CIS

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, CIS chestnut imports declined in 2020. Volume totaled 1 098 t that year, a 7.7% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 68.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 190 t, following the largest annual increase of 35.2% in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to CIS in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, China dominated CIS chestnut imports in volume terms, accounting for 81.9% of the total. The remaining imports were distributed among a diverse group of smaller trading partners.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to CIS in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

CIS chestnut imports in value terms declined in 2020 after two years of growth. The total was 1 970 K $ US, down 6.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 77.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 21.1%. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 2 105 K $ US, following the largest annual rise of 42.4% in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to CIS in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In value terms from 2017 to 2020, China was the overwhelmingly dominant source for CIS chestnut imports, capturing 86.0% of the total. Other countries accounted for the remaining share.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to CIS in value, 2017-2020