Chestnuts market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

The chestnut market in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia expanded from 3 062 t in 2018 to a peak of 4 177 t in 2022, before contracting to 2 967 t in 2023. This growth was particularly strong in 2022, when market volume jumped by 24% compared to the previous year.

The market expansion through 2022 was supported by increased chestnut cultivation driven by sustainability and environmental protection efforts, as chestnut trees help prevent soil erosion. Rising consumer demand for healthy, gluten-free, and plant-based products boosted consumption, while the emergence of new product segments like chestnut flour and processed variants widened usage. However, logistical challenges and supply chain disruptions affected distribution during this period.

In 2023, market volume fell by 29% due to a sharp drop in imports and a modest decline in production. A significant increase in chestnut exports from China, the region's dominant producer, reduced domestic availability. Investments in organic farming and chestnut-processing startups indicate long-term sector interest, but could not offset short-term supply imbalances.

Production chestnuts in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of chestnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of chestnuts, 2017-2020

Chestnut production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 521 tonnes of chestnuts, marking a robust 12.3% rise from the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 42.3%, which translates to an annualized decline of 16.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 411 tonnes. That year also saw the largest decline of 54.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 12.8% growth.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of chestnut production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was 910 thousand US dollars, down by 3.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 54.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -23.2%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 54.7%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 4.0% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports chestnuts from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) exported 648 tonnes of chestnuts, showing a significant drop of 32.6% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 63.8%, equating to an annualized decline of 28.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 49.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 5.9% growth.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy, Spain, and Germany were the leading destinations for chestnut exports in kind from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia). Italy accounted for 56.8% of exports, Spain for 7.9%, and Germany for 6.2%. Together, these three countries represented 70.9% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of chestnuts from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 1 132 thousand US dollars, marking a steep contraction of 42.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 71.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -34.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Germany, and Portugal were the main markets for chestnut exports in value terms from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia). Italy accounted for 45.3% of exports, Germany for 8.0%, and Portugal for 5.5%. Collectively, these three countries represented 58.8% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports chestnuts to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, t

Chestnut imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 3 329 tonnes, down by 3.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 22.5%, equating to an annualized decline of 8.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, chestnut imports in kind to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were characterized by a broad spread across markets. China accounted for 18.0% of imports, North Macedonia for 12.3%, and Albania for 12.1%. Together, these three countries represented 42.4% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign chestnut supplies to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 8 273 thousand US dollars, representing a moderate fall of 4.5% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 14.4%, equating to an annualized decline of 5.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and China formed the key group of partners for chestnut imports in value terms into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia). Germany accounted for 23.2% of imports, Italy for 16.5%, and China for 12.4%. Jointly, these three countries represented 52.1% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020