In-shell walnuts market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

The U.S. in-shell walnut market volume fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, initially pressured by water scarcity in California which reduced yields and contributed to a market volume drop to 437 thousand tons in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 then altered dynamics, as heightened consumer focus on health and nutrition boosted domestic demand for walnuts, while simultaneous disruptions to logistics and supply chains curtailed exports. These combined effects pushed market volume up to 579 thousand tons that year.

Persistent drought conditions continued to limit production into 2021, lowering market volume to 551 thousand tons. Growers responded by adopting precision irrigation and harvest automation, which helped mitigate production challenges and supported a recovery. Concurrently, trade tensions and increased tariffs, particularly affecting exports to key markets like Turkey and China, began to restrain overseas shipments from 2022 onward. This allowed more supply to remain in the domestic market, supporting volume growth to 574 thousand tons in 2022.

By 2023, continued innovation in processing and supply chain traceability by established companies improved operational efficiency. Coupled with the ongoing constraint on exports, which fell sharply to 77 thousand tons, and a rise in production to 751 thousand tons, the domestic market volume expanded significantly to 674 thousand tons. Throughout the period, a consumer trend toward shelled walnuts for convenience also emerged, reflecting evolving preferences within the broader walnut category.

Production in-shell walnuts in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States maintained the second-highest global position in terms of in-shell walnut production volume.

Top producers of in-shell walnuts, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, the United States produced 716.7 thousand tons of in-shell walnuts, marking a 20.6% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 25.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.8%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 3.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, the United States saw an uptick in in-shell walnut production value. In 2020, output was valued at 2 154 million US dollars, reflecting a 14.6% gain compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 2.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 879 million US dollars, while the largest drop occurred in 2018 with a 5.6% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports in-shell walnuts from the United States

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, the United States exported 138.3 thousand tons of in-shell walnuts, representing a 12.2% decline from the previous year. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 131.5 thousand tons, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 157.6 thousand tons. The most substantial increase was recorded in 2019, when exports surged by 19.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates were the leading destinations for US in-shell walnut exports by volume. Turkey accounted for 26.2% of exports, Italy for 14.8%, and the United Arab Emirates for 14.3%, collectively making up 55.3% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the United States exported 415.7 million US dollars worth of in-shell walnuts, a 16.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 18.7%, with a compound annual decline rate of 6.7%. The largest drop was in 2018 at 17.3%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2019 with a 17.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Italy were the primary buyers of US in-shell walnuts by value. Turkey held a 24.4% share, the United Arab Emirates 14.3%, and Italy 14.2%, together comprising 52.9% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports in-shell walnuts to the United States

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, the United States imported 0.5 thousand tons of in-shell walnuts, a 12.6% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports declined by 20.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.3%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 0.4 thousand tons, with the largest decline that year at 33.1%. The most notable increase was in 2019, when imports jumped by 36.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During the 2017-2020 period, Chile dominated the structure of US in-shell walnut imports by volume, absorbing 74.0% of total flows, while numerous smaller partners accounted for the remainder.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decrease, US in-shell walnut imports rebounded in value. In 2020, imports reached 1.0 million US dollars, a dramatic 66.4% rise from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 30.7%, with an annualized decline rate of 11.5%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 0.6 million US dollars, when imports fell by 41.9%, marking the largest decline in the period.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Chile remained the dominant partner for US in-shell walnut imports by value, holding a 79.8% share of total flows, with other markets forming a long tail of minor contributors.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020