In-shell walnuts market in Moldova

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the in-shell walnut market in Moldova reached 21 149 t, supported by major investments in processing facilities, including shelling and sorting, which expanded the capacity to handle both domestic and imported nuts. However, the market contracted to 18 045 t in 2019, and in 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains and labor availability, leading to a further drop in production and a reduction in market volume to 16 523 t.

Post-pandemic recovery in 2021 boosted production, pushing the market volume back up to 21 007 t. In the following years, export orientation strengthened: rising exports in 2022, backed by maintained quality standards under horticulture legislation, contributed to a decrease in domestic supply. In 2023, the opening of a modern drying, processing, and packaging hall with a capacity of up to 1 000 t per season enhanced processing capabilities and stimulated production, which reached 20 590 t. However, increased exports of 2 938 t led to a decline in market volume to 19 175 t.

Production in-shell walnuts in Moldova

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Globally, Moldova ranked as the 16th largest producer of in-shell walnuts between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of in-shell walnuts, 2017-2020

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

Moldova's in-shell walnut production fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 14 669 tonnes of in-shell walnuts, a decrease of 17.2% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 20.8%, averaging an annual decline of 7.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Moldova's in-shell walnut production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 17 213 thousand US dollars, representing a significant fall of 21.3% compared to the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 42.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -16.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 29 868 thousand US dollars. The largest drop occurred in 2019, at 26.8%, while the smallest increase was in 2018, at 0.4%.

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

Exports in-shell walnuts from Moldova

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export volumes varied significantly, with a 3.8-fold difference between the low in 2020 and the high in 2019. In 2020, Moldova exported 674 tonnes of in-shell walnuts, a sharp decrease of 73.8% from the previous year. The peak was in 2019, with 2 573 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 150.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Iraq, and Romania were the main markets for Moldova's in-shell walnut exports in volume terms, accounting for 46.3%, 19.4%, and 7.2% of exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 72.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Export values varied by a factor of four, from the low in 2020 to the high in 2019. In 2020, Moldova's in-shell walnut exports were valued at 791 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp decline of 75.1% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 179 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 89.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey, Iraq, and Azerbaijan were the key partners for Moldova's in-shell walnut exports in value terms, contributing 40.4%, 12.9%, and 9.0% of exports, respectively. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 62.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports in-shell walnuts to Moldova

Imports in kind, t

Moldova's in-shell walnut imports declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 2 528 tonnes, down by 13.2% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 29.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -11.0%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 3 929 tonnes. The largest drop occurred in 2019, at 25.9%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, at 9.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France dominated Moldova's in-shell walnut imports in volume terms, accounting for 81.2% of total flows. All other countries combined made up the remaining share.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Moldova's in-shell walnut imports fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 5 767 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 14.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value dropped by 37%, with a compound annual growth rate of -14.3%. The peak was in 2018 at 11 805 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019, at 43.2%, and the largest increase was in 2018, at 28.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France remained the primary source for Moldova's in-shell walnut imports in value terms, representing 78.0% of total imports. Other destinations played a much smaller role.

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

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