Pistachios market in Australia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the Australian pistachio market expanded from 2,503 t to 3,976 t, though with notable fluctuations. This growth was underpinned by steady domestic demand, which had been rising by approximately 9% annually until stabilizing after the pandemic-induced peak. The ongoing expansion of pistachio orchards, which had tripled over the preceding decade, supported a gradual increase in domestic production from 1,778 t to 2,200 t. However, the overall market volume was significantly influenced by import swings, which rose sharply to 2,682 t in 2019, lifting the market to 3,699 t, before a contraction in 2020 reduced it to 3,149 t and a recovery in 2021 brought it back to nearly 4,000 t.

A pivotal shift occurred in 2022 when domestic production surged to 3,600 t, a 64% increase, driven primarily by the industry's biennial production cycle that made it a high-yield year. This was augmented by the adoption of the first over-the-row mechanical harvester, improving harvest efficiency, and the opening of a new processing plant in Robinvale. The market also saw the entry of a significant new player, ASX-listed Duxton Farms, which acquired Piambie Farms and planted 130 hectares of pistachios. These developments helped push the total market volume to a peak of 4,409 t. In line with the biennial cycle, 2023 was a low-yield phase, causing production to drop to 1,400 t and pulling the market volume down to 2,942 t, despite higher imports offsetting some of the decline.

The industry's expansion continued with a record harvest in 2024, exceeding the previous high by about 1,000 t, which contributed to a sharp rise in exports to 2,540 t as producers sought international markets. Imports remained steady at around 2,500 t. By 2025, exports moderated to 1,770 t while imports saw a slight decrease to 2,404 t, reflecting ongoing adjustments in the growing trade dynamics of the sector.

Production pistachios in Australia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Australia ranked 10th globally in pistachio production.

Top producers of pistachios, 2018-2021

World map of production of pistachios, 2018-2021

Australia's pistachio production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 2 200 tonnes of pistachios, marking a 0.6% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production rose by 23.7%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 7.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia in kind, 2018-2021, t

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

After two years of growth, Australia's pistachio production value declined. In 2021, the output was valued at 17 336 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 5.8% decrease compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production value increased by 18.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 5.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 18 412 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 25.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Exports pistachios from Australia

Exports in kind, t

Australia's pistachio exports fell for the third year in a row. In 2021, exports amounted to 336 tonnes, representing a 44.0% year-over-year decrease. Between 2018 and 2021, exports dropped by 75.9%, averaging an annual decline of 37.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, China was the primary buyer of Australian pistachios, accounting for 90.0% of total exports by volume, with the remaining share distributed among other countries.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Australia's pistachio export value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 2 648 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp 47.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value fell by 76.8%, corresponding to an annualized decline of 38.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

During 2018-2021, China remained the key destination for Australian pistachios, making up 87.6% of total export value, while other markets played a much smaller role.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021

Imports pistachios to Australia

Imports in kind, t

Australia imported 2 112 tonnes of pistachios in 2021, a 35.2% increase from 2020. The lowest import volume was in 2020 at 1 562 tonnes, while the peak was in 2019 with 2 682 tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2020, with a 41.8% decline.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, the United States dominated Australia's pistachio imports by volume, holding a 74.4% share, with the rest spread across other trading partners.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Australia imported pistachios worth 24 756 thousand US dollars in 2021, a 24.9% increase from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, import value grew by 12.2%, averaging 3.9% annually. The lowest value was in 2020 at 19 827 thousand US dollars, and the highest was in 2019 at 27 755 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2020 with a 28.6% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2019 with a 25.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the United States led Australia's pistachio imports by value, accounting for 70.1% of the total, with the remainder distributed among other partners.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021