Chestnuts market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The Turkish chestnut market expanded significantly from 2018 to 2020, with the market volume growing from 61,569 tons to 78,291 tons. This initial growth phase was supported by strong export performance, as Turkish chestnuts gained international recognition, leading to a 17% increase in exports in 2018, particularly to Italy. The rising demand and higher prices for organic chestnuts further incentivized production during this period.

After 2020, the total market volume stabilized around 77,000 tons, experiencing minor contractions in 2021-2023. Local initiatives, such as the establishment of a modern chestnut marketplace in Düzce in 2022 to promote the registered 'Düzce Kestanesi' variety, aimed to bolster domestic marketing. However, production faced substantial challenges in 2023, including infestations of the gall wasp pest, which contributed to a drop in national output to 71,744 tons and subsequently drove retail prices higher. Concurrently, state-backed projects to establish processing facilities, notably by women entrepreneurs, aimed to diversify the product range and add value within the sector.

In 2024, trade flows indicated a shift toward the domestic market, with imports rising to 15,094 tons while exports fell sharply to 5,672 tons. Regulatory measures were introduced, including placing chestnut products under import surveillance and simplifying rules for producer organizations. Efforts to strengthen the industry continued with the first Chestnut Festival in Aydın and ongoing research into improving yield and combating pests, all within a context of sustained high prices driven by constrained supply and solid demand.

Production chestnuts in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of chestnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of chestnuts, 2017-2020

Western Asia's chestnut production volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 76 655 tonnes of chestnuts, marking a 4.7% improvement over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 20.6%, which equates to an annualized growth rate of 6.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After a two-year decline, Western Asia's chestnut production value increased. In 2020, the output was valued at 208.6 million US dollars, showing a 9.7% advance over the past year. However, between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 8.8%, translating to an annualized decline of 3.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 190.1 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 15.4% occurring that same year.

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

Exports chestnuts from Western Asia

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year gain, cross-border shipments of chestnuts from Western Asia declined. In 2020, exports totaled 9 599 tonnes, down by 34.4% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 7.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.6%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 14 640 tonnes, while the largest increase of 24.1% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom—together accounted for 71.8% of total chestnut exports in kind from Western Asia.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Foreign chestnut supplies from Western Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 26 126 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp loss of 31.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 30.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 11.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 45 132 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 20.6% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms of chestnuts from Western Asia were largely concentrated on Italy, which accounted for 72.1% of total flows; other countries together formed the residual share.

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

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

Imports chestnuts to Western Asia

Imports in kind, t

Western Asia's chestnut imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported a total of chestnuts, amounting to a small increase of 0.8% from a year earlier. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 14.3%, which equates to an annualized growth rate of 4.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China remained the dominant source for imports in kind, with a share of 77.1% of total flows, while the remainder was fragmented across other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year fall, chestnut imports into Western Asia increased. In 2020, imports amounted to 21 075 thousand US dollars, constituting a small rise of 1.5% year-over-year. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 2.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -0.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 20 765 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 2.0% occurring that same year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China (66.0% of imports in value terms), Italy (1.5%), and Iran (1.1%) together absorbed 68.6% of total chestnut imports in value terms to Western Asia, making them the main sources.

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

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