In-shell walnuts market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the in-shell walnut market volume in Western Asia grew from 333 thousand tons to 478 thousand tons. This expansion was primarily driven by a strong consumer shift toward healthy eating, which increased demand for organic and natural products, particularly in major cities. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further accelerated this trend as consumers sought immunity-boosting foods, while the simultaneous rise of e-commerce platforms made walnuts more accessible through online sales channels.

After a period of rapid growth, the market stabilized in 2022 at around 479 thousand tons. During this phase, new players entered the market, and domestic producers enhanced the quality and variety of local walnuts, especially the Kaman and Chandler varieties. Market volume then increased again in 2023, reaching 523 thousand tons.

Production in-shell walnuts in Western 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

Western Asia's in-shell walnut production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 328.4 thousand tons of in-shell walnuts, marking a significant 25.0% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 32.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of decline, Western Asia's in-shell walnut production value rebounded. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 277 million US dollars, up 20.5% from the previous year. However, from 2017 to 2020, the overall production value fell by 9%, translating to an average annual decrease of 3.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 060 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 18.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports in-shell walnuts from Western Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The export market for in-shell walnuts from Western Asia showed an unstable trend during this period. In 2018, exports hit a low of 24.6 thousand tons, then surged to a peak of 49.9 thousand tons in 2019—a 102.7% increase. By 2020, exports dropped sharply to 33.7 thousand tons, a 32.6% decline from 2019, resulting in a two-fold variation between the highest and lowest points.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran, India, and Algeria were the key destinations for in-shell walnut exports from Western Asia. Iran accounted for 53.9% of exports in kind, India for 5.5%, and Algeria for 2.1%, together making up 61.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Western Asia's in-shell walnut export value was 130.9 million US dollars, a steep 35.0% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 8.8%, with an average annual decline of 3.0%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 126.2 million US dollars, while the peak was in 2019 at 201.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 59.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran, India, and Algeria remained the top markets for in-shell walnut exports in value terms, collectively accounting for 64.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports in-shell walnuts to Western Asia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Western Asia imported 122.9 thousand tons of in-shell walnuts, a 28.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 12.2%, with an average annual rate of 3.9%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 104.4 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 171.4 thousand tons, which also experienced the largest increase of 64.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Chile, and Ukraine were the main sources for in-shell walnut imports into Western Asia, together representing 72.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Western Asia imported 301.1 million US dollars worth of in-shell walnuts, a 21.3% contraction from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 9.3%, with an average annual decrease of 3.2%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 382.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 18.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Chile, and China led the import structure in value terms for in-shell walnuts into Western Asia. The United States accounted for 49.1% of imports, Chile for 23.7%, and China for 6.4%, together making up 79.2% of total import flows.

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

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