In-shell walnuts market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for in-shell walnuts in Southern Asia expanded steadily from 639 thousand tons in 2018 to 733 thousand tons in 2021. This growth was interrupted in 2022 when the market volume contracted to 694 thousand tons, before rebounding strongly to reach 804 thousand tons in 2023.

The record market volume in 2023 was driven by a sharp rise in imports, which jumped to 61 thousand tons from just 5 thousand tons the previous year. This import surge was linked to rising demand from India's food processing industry, which accounts for a significant share of the domestic food market, and evolving consumer preferences toward processed and premium walnut products. Key supplying countries included Chile and the United States.

Domestic production also contributed to the 2023 expansion, increasing to 746 thousand tons. Despite the temporary setback in 2022, the overall trajectory from 2018 to 2023 points to a growing market, supported by these supply and demand dynamics.

Production in-shell walnuts in Southern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of in-shell walnuts, 2017-2020

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

Southern Asia's in-shell walnut production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 690.0 thousand tons of in-shell walnuts, marking a 4.8% increase from the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually decreased by 2.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 637.8 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 10.3%.

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

Exports in-shell walnuts from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during the observed period. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2017, while the maximum occurred in 2018, with an 8.5-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, in-shell walnut shipments from Southern Asia to abroad reached 784 tons, representing a 42.1% decrease from the previous year. The largest decline was observed in 2019 at 61.5%, whereas the largest increase was in 2018 at 747.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Turkey, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates—collectively accounted for 76.7% of total in-shell walnut exports from Southern Asia in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed notable volatility over these years. The lowest export value was in 2017, and the peak was in 2018, with an 8.2-fold gap between them. In 2020, in-shell walnut exports from Southern Asia amounted to 2 587 thousand US dollars, which is 25.9% lower than in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 40.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 718.5%.

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

During 2017–2020, Turkey, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates were the top three markets, together absorbing 68.5% of total in-shell walnut export value from Southern Asia.

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

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

Imports in-shell walnuts to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations throughout the period. The lowest import volume was in 2017, rising to a peak in 2019, with a 3.9-fold swing between these years. In 2020, Southern Asia imported 7 063 tons of in-shell walnuts, indicating a 6.8% decrease from 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 142.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China and the United States consistently represented 86.7% of total in-shell walnut imports into Southern Asia by volume, highlighting a high concentration of supply with numerous smaller markets making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility was a key feature of the market during these years. The lowest import value was in 2017, climbing to the highest in 2019, reflecting a 3.4-fold gap. In 2020, foreign in-shell walnut supplies to Southern Asia stood at 14 723 thousand US dollars, down by 7.2% compared to 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 137.4%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, China and the United States remained the primary sources for imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 87.2% of total flows, while other partners each held significantly smaller shares.

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

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