Chestnuts market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the Spanish chestnut market volume initially rose to 182.0 thousand tonnes in 2019, supported by biological pest control efforts in Galicia that released parasitic insects to combat the chestnut gall wasp, safeguarding yields. The development of value-added products, such as ham from chestnut-fed pigs, created additional demand. Market volume then stabilized around 181 thousand tonnes in 2020-2021, partly due to expanded cultivation area in Extremadura, where strong domestic and international demand and high prices pushed nut crop area to about 25 000 hectares.

From 2022, production and market volume declined to 173.3 thousand tonnes in 2022, primarily due to adverse climate conditions that damaged crops. In 2023, market volume stabilized at 171.7 thousand tonnes, though harvests were hit by low temperatures that impaired fruit set in Galicia and caused a 40% crop loss in Extremadura. Growing competition from lower-priced Chinese chestnuts also pressured the domestic market during this period.

By 2024, the sector faced structural challenges such as generational renewal difficulties in Galicia due to fragmented land ownership and dependence on climate factors and pests, posing risks to long-term sustainability.

Production chestnuts in Spain

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Spain held the second position globally in chestnut production.

Top producers of chestnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of chestnuts, 2017-2020

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Production varied significantly, with a 12.1-fold difference between the minimum in 2017 and the maximum in 2019. In 2020, Spain produced 188.7 thousand tonnes of chestnuts, remaining stable compared to the previous year. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 188.9 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, surging by 1 082.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Spain in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend over this period. The value of chestnut output fluctuated widely, with a 12.2-fold amplitude between the trough in 2017 and the peak in 2018. In 2020, Spain's chestnut production was valued at 553.8 million US dollars, up 1.9% year-on-year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 593.5 million US dollars. The largest decline took place in 2019, dropping by 8.5%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 1 123.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Spain in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports chestnuts from Spain

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Spain's cross-border shipments of chestnuts amounted to 11 355 tonnes, showing a modest improvement of 4.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 25.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 7.8%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 13 097 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 17.0%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, rising by 44.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, France, and Portugal were the key destinations for Spain's chestnut exports in volume terms. Italy accounted for 48.8% of exports, France for 28.3%, and Portugal for 14.2%, together making up 91.4% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of chestnuts exported from Spain reached 33 326 thousand US dollars, marking a gain of 6.6% year-on-year. Over the period 2017-2020, exports increased by 18.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 42 068 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 25.7%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, rising by 49.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, France, and Portugal continued to be the main buyers of Spanish chestnuts in value terms. Italy accounted for 44.3% of exports, France for 31.3%, and Portugal for 12.3%, jointly forming 87.9% of total exports.

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

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

Imports chestnuts to Spain

Imports in kind, t

Imported chestnut volumes in Spain increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 3 979 tonnes, which is 2.1% more compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 739 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 32.1%, while the biggest increase was in 2019, rising by 42.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal, Italy, and Chile were the principal suppliers of chestnuts to Spain in volume terms. Portugal accounted for 65.6% of imports, Italy for 13.6%, and Chile for 8.9%, together making up 88.2% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import volumes hit a low in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Spain imported 10 616 thousand US dollars worth of chestnuts, down by 36.6% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 8 898 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 16 733 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 88.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal played a leading role in Spain's chestnut imports in value terms, accounting for 76.0% of total flows, with the remainder distributed across other partners.

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

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