Pistachios market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the pistachio market volume in Central Asia stood at 6 126 t. The following year, it grew by 29% to 7 879 t, despite geopolitical turbulence around Iran and a logistics collapse that multiplied delivery costs. However, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains and dampened demand, pulling the market down to 6 580 t.

Sanctions and currency fluctuations, compounded by persistent global logistics issues, continued to weigh on the market. Volume contracted to 4 886 t in 2021 and further to 3 927 t in 2022. During this period, new players entered the market and product segments diversified, but these developments could not offset the pressure from restrictive measures and economic headwinds.

A sharp turnaround occurred in 2023, with market volume jumping 62% to 6 353 t. This surge was driven by a global pistachio shortage and a spike in demand, partly fueled by viral social media trends that boosted the nut's popularity. Additionally, increased Iranian shipments to India indirectly affected regional trade flows.

Production pistachios in Central Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pistachios, 2017-2020

World map of production of pistachios, 2017-2020

Central Asia's pistachio production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 1,165 tonnes of pistachios, which was 0.6% lower than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 20.3%, representing an average annual decline of 7.3%.

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

Exports pistachios from Central Asia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Central Asia exported 1,403 tonnes of pistachios, marking a 7.1% increase compared to 2019. However, between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 20.7%, with an average annual decline of 7.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1,310 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 1,914 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 31.6%, whereas the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 8.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Russia, and Afghanistan were the main destinations for Central Asia's pistachio exports in volume terms. Turkey accounted for 31.3% of exports, Russia for 28.0%, and Afghanistan for 9.1%. Together, these three countries represented 68.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports in value terms fluctuated significantly, with a 3.2-fold difference between the peak in 2019 and the trough in 2017. In 2020, Central Asia's pistachio exports reached 3,731 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp decline of 45.0% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 6,785 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, surging by 127.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey, Russia, and Belarus were the primary destinations for Central Asia's pistachio exports in value terms. Turkey accounted for 27.2% of exports, Russia for 16.3%, and Belarus for 9.5%. Collectively, these three countries absorbed 53.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports pistachios to Central Asia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Central Asia imported 6,818 tonnes of pistachios, indicating a strong decline of 14.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 21.9%, with an average annual decline of 7.9%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 6,707 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 23.2%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 19.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran dominated Central Asia's pistachio imports in volume terms, absorbing 71.1% of total imports. The remaining imports were distributed among a wide range of smaller trading partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Central Asia's pistachio imports in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported 20,596 thousand US dollars worth of pistachios, up by 6.9% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 38.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the structure of pistachio imports in value terms was characterized by the dominance of Iran, which accounted for 71.5% of total flows, alongside a large number of minor trading partners.

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

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