In-shell walnuts market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish in-shell walnut market expanded from 26 682 tons in 2018 to over 31 700 tons in 2019. This initial growth was driven by new walnut plantations that began bearing fruit, alongside the entry of specialized producers like Nueces Íberas which focused on quality and organic output. The simultaneous promotion of the 'Nueces de España' guarantee brand helped strengthen domestic market positioning.

Market volume dipped in 2020 but recovered near its peak in 2021, reaching 31 688 tons. The rebound was supported by industry projections of a 30% production increase for the 2021/2022 campaign, coupled with a broader shift toward digital transformation in agriculture aimed at improving efficiency and sustainability.

From 2022, the market contracted to around 25 500 tons, influenced by adverse climatic conditions that affected harvests and phytosanitary limitations which constrained import flows. During this period, the sector continued to work on differentiation through quality and the 'Nueces de España' brand, while global trends like sustainability and ethical sourcing began shaping competitive dynamics.

Production in-shell walnuts in Spain

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain ranked as the 18th largest producer of in-shell walnuts globally.

Top producers of in-shell walnuts, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Spain produced 17 110 tonnes of in-shell walnuts, marking a slight decrease of 2.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 8.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 15 180 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 17 540 tonnes. The most significant decline was observed in 2018 at 3.6%, whereas the largest increase took place in 2019, reaching 15.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Spain's in-shell walnut production value rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 56 414 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 1.8% increase over the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production value fell by 12.8%, with an average annual decline of 4.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 47 711 thousand US dollars. The most substantial drop occurred in 2018 at 26.3%, while the largest gain was in 2019 at 16.2%.

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

Exports in-shell walnuts from Spain

Exports in kind, t

Spain's in-shell walnut exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 1 046 tonnes, which is 8.2% lower than the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 44.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 18.0%. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 2 214 tonnes. The most significant decrease was in 2019 at 48.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 16.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Spain's in-shell walnut exports in volume terms were Portugal, Italy, and Germany, which together accounted for 56.8% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Spain's in-shell walnut export value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 3 448 thousand US dollars, representing a 4.2% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 55.7%, with an annualized rate of 23.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, Portugal (24.3% of export value), Italy (24.1%), and Germany (13.7%) continued to be the top buyers of in-shell walnuts from Spain, jointly making up 62.2% of total export value.

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

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

Imports in-shell walnuts to Spain

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Spain imported 13 455 tonnes of in-shell walnuts, down by 12.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 12.1%, with an annualized rate of 4.2%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 15 327 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase at 11.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and France dominated Spain's in-shell walnut imports in volume terms, together accounting for 80.7% of total imports, with the remainder distributed among other countries with smaller shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Spain imported in-shell walnuts valued at 17 400 thousand US dollars, showing a notable decline of 17.4% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value fell by 31.7%, with an annualized rate of 11.9%. The largest decrease was in 2018 at 17.8%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 0.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States (53.0% of import value), France (26.6%), and Chile (16.2%) remained the primary sources for Spain's in-shell walnut imports, jointly representing 95.8% of total import value.

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

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