In-shell walnuts market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The in-shell walnut market in Western Europe opened the period at 38 433 t in 2018, amid a context of sustained 4% annual growth in global production. However, the market contracted sharply to 27 132 t in 2019, a downturn connected to a progressive reduction in walnut orchard area and declining output in Italy, a traditional producer that became a net importer.

Market volume recovered to 32 596 t in 2020 as the pandemic reinforced walnuts' position as a healthy snack, maintaining demand despite supply chain pressures. Growth continued to 37 595 t in 2021, supported by a rising consumer preference for in-shell nuts due to their natural protection and longer shelf life, while actions by the California Walnut Board to fund promotion and science helped underpin market stability. A notable surge to 52 703 t occurred in 2022, driven by significant industry investments in precision irrigation and automation technologies that enhanced production efficiency, coinciding with global harvest shortfalls in other key regions.

The market then fell to 25 475 t in 2023, a shift aligned with volatile global production patterns that saw exceptional yields in some areas and poor harvests in others, affecting supply and prices across major markets.

Production in-shell walnuts in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of in-shell walnuts, 2017-2020

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

Western Europe's in-shell walnut production rebounded in 2020 after two consecutive years of decline. The region produced 43 298 tonnes, marking a 7.1% increase compared to 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 23.2%, which translates to an average annual decline of 8.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 40 440 tonnes, while the sharpest year-on-year drop occurred in 2018 with an 18.3% decrease.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In-shell walnut production in Western Europe saw a recovery in value terms in 2020 following a two-year downward trend. The output was valued at 160.0 million US dollars, representing a 14.8% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, production value declined by 27.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 139.4 million US dollars, which also saw the most significant annual decline of 34.5%.

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

Exports in-shell walnuts from Western Europe

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Western Europe exported 23 235 tonnes of in-shell walnuts, a 16.8% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 26.8%, averaging an annual decline of 9.9%. The largest drop occurred in 2018 with a 26.5% reduction, while 2019 saw a notable increase of 19.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy, Spain, and Moldova were the primary destinations for Western Europe's in-shell walnut exports in volume terms. Italy accounted for 34.2% of exports, Spain for 17.0%, and Moldova for 9.9%. Together, these three countries represented 61.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Western Europe's in-shell walnut exports declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, with export value dropping to 85.9 million US dollars, a 10.8% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 30.7%, corresponding to an average annual decline of 11.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Spain, and Moldova were the main markets for Western Europe's in-shell walnut exports in value terms. Italy contributed 34.3% of export value, Spain 16.7%, and Moldova 7.2%. Collectively, these three partners accounted for 58.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports in-shell walnuts to Western Europe

Imports in kind, t

In-shell walnut imports into Western Europe declined for the third year in a row in 2020, reaching 12 533 tonnes. This represented a significant 14.3% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 35.4%, with an average annual decline of 13.6%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the United States, Chile, and Hungary remained the leading suppliers of in-shell walnuts to Western Europe in volume terms. The United States accounted for 38.5% of imports, Chile for 13.0%, and Hungary for 4.8%. Together, these three countries supplied 56.3% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In-shell walnut imports into Western Europe increased in 2020 after two years of decline, with import value rising to 52.1 million US dollars, a moderate 7.4% increase from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 34.5%, averaging an annual decline of 13.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 48.5 million US dollars, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 34.3% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Chile, and Hungary formed the key group of suppliers for in-shell walnut imports into Western Europe in value terms. The United States represented 32.3% of import value, Chile 12.9%, and Hungary 4.8%. Collectively, these three partners accounted for 50.0% of total import flows.

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

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