Chestnuts market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The chestnut market in Western Europe expanded from 23 thousand tons in 2018 to 26.7 thousand tons in 2020, with higher imports compensating for constrained domestic supply. European production faced persistent challenges from orchard decline, ink disease, and the chestnut gall wasp, limiting local output.

After a slight contraction in 2021, market volume recovered to 26.4 thousand tons in 2022. This growth was driven by a 20% increase in French production in the Lot department, supported by a government convention with the national producers' union to strengthen the sector. Simultaneously, declining harvests in Spain and Portugal redirected demand toward French chestnuts.

In 2023, market volume fell sharply to 21.2 thousand tons. This drop coincided with significant structural shifts: the area under organic chestnut cultivation grew from 51,000 to 67,000 hectares, global e‑commerce platforms increased chestnut product listings by over 34%, and private equity entered the ready‑to‑eat roasted chestnut snack segment. These demand‑side developments were outweighed by ongoing supply pressures from orchard diseases and climate‑related stresses in key growing regions.

Production chestnuts in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of chestnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of chestnuts, 2017-2020

In 2019, chestnut production in Western Europe experienced its largest decline of 14.2%. However, this was followed by a significant recovery in 2020, with production reaching 8,995 tons, marking an 18.1% increase from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 50.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 14.6%. The most substantial increase occurred in 2018, when production surged by 48.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2019, the value of chestnut production in Western Europe saw its largest decline of 18.7%. The following year, in 2020, production value rose to 78,408 thousand US dollars, representing a 4.6% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 34.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 10.3%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 92,159 thousand US dollars, which also marked the largest increase of 57.7% during this timeframe.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Europe in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports chestnuts from Western Europe

Exports in kind, t

Chestnut exports from Western Europe grew for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 5,897 tons, a 31.0% increase from the previous year. However, looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, exports overall decreased by 12.4%, with an annualized decline rate of 4.3%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 3,759 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 44.2% during this period.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the destination countries for chestnut exports from Western Europe were highly diversified. Spain accounted for 13.2% of exports in volume, Switzerland for 10.1%, and Italy for 9.1%. Together, these three countries represented just 32.3% of total export flows, while the remaining 67.7% was distributed among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Chestnut exports from Western Europe declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, totaling 22,159 thousand US dollars, a modest decrease of 3.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 16.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, chestnut exports from Western Europe were distributed across a broad set of markets. Spain and Switzerland each accounted for 9.9% of exports in value terms, while Italy represented 6.2%. Combined, these three countries made up only 26.0% of total export value, with the remaining 74.0% coming from numerous smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports chestnuts to Western Europe

Imports in kind, t

Chestnut imports into Western Europe increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 23,647 tons, an 18.1% rise year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 4.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 1.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 17,911 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 21.0% during this timeframe.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Spain, and Portugal were the leading sources of chestnut imports into Western Europe in volume terms. Italy accounted for 43.4% of imports, Spain for 20.1%, and Portugal for 13.4%. Together, these three countries represented 76.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, chestnut imports into Western Europe increased in 2020, totaling 99,134 thousand US dollars, a moderate advance of 9.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 5.0%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.6%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 90,437 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 3.8% during this period.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Italy, Spain, and Portugal formed the core group of markets for chestnut imports into Western Europe in value terms. Italy accounted for 51.9% of imports, Spain for 16.0%, and Portugal for 12.0%. Together, these three countries represented 80.0% of total import flows.

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

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