In-shell almonds market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for in-shell almonds in Western Asia experienced considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023. Starting at 367 thousand tons in 2018, it fell sharply to 299 thousand tons in 2019, then rebounded to 344 thousand tons in 2020. A two-year contraction followed, bringing the market down to 282 thousand tons in 2022, before a strong recovery to 358 thousand tons in 2023.

In value terms, the market displayed a different trajectory. Despite the volume drop in 2019, the market value increased to $1.6 billion, indicating higher unit prices or a shift toward more valuable products. From 2020 onward, however, the value declined consistently, reaching $1.1 billion in 2022, and then modestly grew to $1.2 billion in 2023.

Trade flows over the period showed a clear downward trend in imports, which decreased from 119 thousand tons in 2018 to 24 thousand tons in 2024. Exports, while lower in volume, varied from year to year. In 2024, the global almond market faced supply constraints due to drought in Spain and regulatory changes in major producing regions, which may have contributed to higher prices and reduced import volumes in Western Asia.

Production in-shell almonds in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of in-shell almonds, 2017-2020

World map of production of in-shell almonds, 2017-2020

Western Asia's in-shell almond production grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 323.7 thousand tonnes of in-shell almonds, up 17.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 59.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 16.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, Western Asia's in-shell almond production value declined. In 2020, output was valued at 1 486 million US dollars, nearly unchanged from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 44.2%, translating to an annualized rate of 13.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 488 million US dollars, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 36.4%.

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

Exports in-shell almonds from Western Asia

Exports in kind, K t

In-shell almond exports from Western Asia rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 8.3 thousand tonnes, showing little change from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 11%, with an average annual decline of 3.8%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 6.1 thousand tonnes, with the largest drop that year at 34.0%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 34.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets—Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan—dominated exports in kind, collectively accounting for 71.2% of total flows.

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, M $ US

In 2020, Western Asia's in-shell almond export value was 37.9 million US dollars, down 14.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 19.3%, with an average annual decline of 6.9%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 33.7 million US dollars, with the largest drop that year at 28.2%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 31.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran (52.6% of export value), Afghanistan (11.7%), and Pakistan (8.0%) remained the top buyers of in-shell almonds from Western Asia, together making up 72.3% of total export value.

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 in-shell almonds to Western Asia

Imports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports peaked in 2018 and fell to their lowest level in 2020, with a 4.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Western Asia imported 28.5 thousand tonnes of in-shell almonds, an 8.3% decrease from 2019. The highest volume was in 2018 at 118.6 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline in 2019 at 73.8% and the biggest increase in 2018 at 258.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the central partner for imports in kind, holding an 87.0% share of total flows, while other markets played a smaller role.

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, M $ US

In 2020, Western Asia's in-shell almond import value was 126.1 million US dollars, a significant 10.9% year-on-year drop. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 18.6%, with an average annual decline of 6.6%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 107.7 million US dollars, with the largest decrease that year at 30.5%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 31.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the import structure in value terms was heavily concentrated on the United States, which accounted for 89.4% of total flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

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