In-shell walnuts market in Peru

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the market for in-shell walnuts in Peru expanded from 819 tons to 1 319 tons, with domestic production declining steadily from 299 tons to 238 tons. Imports became the primary source of supply, fluctuating between 520 tons and 1 292 tons. The Peruvian state's long-standing framework of 40-year concessions for nut harvesting, established since 2000, continued to regulate access to natural resources and influenced production conditions throughout the period.

A sharp rise in imports to 1 292 tons in 2021 drove the market to a peak of 1 550 tons. This surge coincided with heightened international demand for Peruvian nuts, particularly from the United States and South Korea, and the emergence of a major new player, White Lions Nuts SAC, which became a leader in nut exports. The following year, a 16% drop in the value of Brazil nut exports reflected shifting international prices, which contributed to a contraction in walnut imports to 906 tons and reduced the overall market size to 1 156 tons.

In 2023, the market recovered to 1 319 tons as imports rose again to 1 081 tons. This rebound occurred alongside a 581% increase in exports of in-shell Brazil nuts from the Madre de Dios region, indicating sustained global demand for Peruvian nuts. While walnut production continued to decline, the overall nut market remained dynamic, supported by export-oriented activity and the ongoing state concession system.

Production in-shell walnuts in Peru

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of in-shell walnuts, 2017-2020

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

Peru produced 283.0 t of in-shell walnuts in 2020, marking an 11.8% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 5.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 321.0 t, with the largest year-on-year increase of 7.4% also occurring that year.

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

Exports in-shell walnuts from Peru

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 0.0 t, then surged to 0.1 t in 2020, representing a dramatic increase of 16 663.1% from the previous year. From the peak in 2017 to the trough in 2019, exports changed by a factor of 1 778. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 99.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Aruba remained the nearly exclusive buyer of in-shell walnuts from Peru, accounting for 91.2% of total exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports peaked in 2017 and fell to their lowest point in 2019, with a variation of 182 times between these years. In 2020, Peru's in-shell walnut export value totaled 1 K $ US, marking a sharp uptick of 12 194.9% from a year earlier. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 K $ US, with the largest decline of 98.9% also occurring that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Aruba and Denmark concentrated the majority of Peru's in-shell walnut exports in value terms, while other markets played a less significant role.

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

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

Imports in-shell walnuts to Peru

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year rise, Peru's in-shell walnut import volume declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 707.0 t, indicating a solid loss of 15.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 58.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.6%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 836.2 t, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 60.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the import market was highly concentrated, with Chile alone responsible for 98.4% of total imports in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year uptick, Peru's in-shell walnut import volumes declined. In 2020, imports reached 1 965 K $ US, representing a strong loss of 19.3% compared with 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 11.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 433 K $ US, with the largest increase of 35.0% also occurring that year.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Chile was the key partner for Peru's in-shell walnut imports in value terms, accounting for 98.5% of total flows.

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

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