Pistachios market in China, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Chinese pistachio market expanded significantly, reaching 179 thousand tons in 2020 from 127 thousand tons in 2018. This growth was primarily driven by a surge in imports from the United States and Turkey, where production increases led to record exports to China. Concurrently, rising Chinese consumer interest in Western-style healthy snacks fueled domestic demand. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 temporarily disrupted global supply chains, causing a slight dip in market volume, but sustained consumer appetite and accelerated e-commerce adoption helped stabilize sales.

Market volume peaked at 204 thousand tons in 2021, supported by growing recognition of pistachios' nutritional value among young consumers and the continued expansion of cross-border e-commerce platforms. However, in 2022, imports plummeted, pulling the market down to 119 thousand tons. During this period, major player Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds reinforced its commitment to the Chinese market by expanding its sales network and supply chain investments. By 2023, the market recovered to 150 thousand tons as more companies invested in processing and distribution, while health and wellness trends kept demand robust.

Production pistachios in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China ranked as the world's fourth-largest producer of pistachios.

Top producers of pistachios, 2017-2020

World map of production of pistachios, 2017-2020

In 2020, China produced 76.8 K t of pistachios, a slight increase of 0.7% compared to the previous year. Production reached its lowest point in 2019 at 76.2 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 0.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, pistachio production in China rebounded in 2020. The output was valued at 562.6 M $ US, marking a significant increase of 26.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 12.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 445.3 M $ US, and the largest decline took place in 2018 with an 8.4% decrease.

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

Exports pistachios from China

Exports in kind, K t

The market experienced notable fluctuations during this period. Exports peaked in 2018 at 3.4 K t and hit their lowest point in 2017, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, China's pistachio exports amounted to 1.9 K t, reflecting a sharp decline of 42.9% compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 with a growth of 87.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, Hong Kong, and Germany were the three main markets for China's pistachio exports in volume terms, collectively accounting for 58.1% of the total.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Market performance showed significant volatility over these years. Exports reached their highest value in 2018 at 20.8 M $ US and their lowest in 2017, with a 1.7-fold swing between these points. In 2020, China exported 14.2 M $ US worth of pistachios, indicating a sharp fall of 28.4% from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2018 with a rise of 73.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Hong Kong, and Germany formed the core group of markets for China's pistachio exports in value terms. The United States accounted for 35.2% of exports, Hong Kong for 16.0%, and Germany for 10.8%, together representing 62.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports pistachios to China

Imports in kind, K t

The market displayed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports hit their maximum in 2019 at 112.9 K t and fell to their lowest point in 2017, with a 3.9-fold gap between these years. In 2020, China imported approximately 104.2 K t of pistachios, marking a limited decrease of 7.7% from the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 with a growth of 106.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States and Iran dominated China's pistachio imports in volume terms. The United States accounted for 59.3% of total flows and Iran for 38.6%, together forming 97.9% of imports, while other partners made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports reached their highest value in 2019 at 809.2 M $ US and their lowest in 2017, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 4.4 times. In 2020, China's pistachio imports totaled 659.2 M $ US, corresponding to an 18.5% year-over-year loss. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 with a rise of 129.5%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the United States and Iran were the dominant sources for China's pistachio imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 97.8% of total flows, while smaller markets shared the remaining volume.

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

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