In-shell walnuts market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for in-shell walnuts in Lebanon fluctuated considerably between 2018 and 2023. It grew from 5 395 t in 2018 to 6 444 t in 2019, then contracted sharply to 4 158 t in 2020. A rebound followed, with volume reaching 6 071 t in 2022, before a steep decline to 3 128 t in 2023.

Lebanon's high reliance on food imports, including for up to 80% of its nut needs, made the market sensitive to trade flows and economic conditions. Political and economic instability since late 2019 affected consumer purchasing power and market access. In 2024, import volumes rose to 5 475 t, while exports normalized to 312 t, reflecting Lebanon's ongoing role in regional walnut trade amid a challenging economic environment.

Production in-shell walnuts in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of in-shell walnuts, 2017-2020

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

Lebanon produced 3 332 tonnes of in-shell walnuts in 2020, marking a moderate decline of 5.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 27.5%, with an average annual decrease of 10.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 214 tonnes. That same year saw the largest decline of 30.1%, while 2019 experienced the biggest increase at 9.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lebanon in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports in-shell walnuts from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed significant volatility during this period. They reached their lowest point in 2018 at just 2 tonnes, then climbed to their peak in 2020 at 120 tonnes—a dramatic 72-fold increase. The 2020 export volume represented an abrupt 46.7% rise compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 37.5%, while 2019 saw the most substantial increase at 4 798.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Syria dominated Lebanon's in-shell walnut exports, accounting for 80.3% of total export volume. The remaining exports were distributed among numerous countries, each with relatively small individual shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values exhibited considerable volatility throughout the observed period. They fluctuated dramatically, with a 30-fold difference between the low of 2018 at 6 thousand US dollars and the high of 2020 at 190 thousand US dollars. The 2020 export value represented an abrupt 157.0% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 26.1%, while 2019 saw the most substantial increase at 1 077.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Syria (46.0% of export value), the United Arab Emirates (16.6%), and Greece (14.3%) were Lebanon's primary markets for in-shell walnuts. Together, these three countries accounted for 76.9% of Lebanon's total walnut export value during this period.

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

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

Imports in-shell walnuts to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Lebanon's imports of in-shell walnuts declined in 2020. Import volumes reached 947 tonnes that year, down 68.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 44.8%, with an average annual decline of 18.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 995 tonnes, which represented the largest increase of 37.3% during this period.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States played the dominant role in Lebanon's in-shell walnut imports, accounting for 71.0% of total import volume. The remaining imports were distributed across various other trading partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Lebanon's imports of in-shell walnuts declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. Import values totaled 2 449 thousand US dollars that year, representing a sharp 67.2% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 57.6%, equating to an average annual decline of 24.9%. The peak import value was recorded in 2018 at 8 060 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 39.6%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, the United States dominated Lebanon's import structure for in-shell walnuts in value terms, accounting for 71.3% of total import value. Other markets collectively formed a less significant portion of Lebanon's walnut imports.

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

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