Pistachios market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The pistachio market in Eastern Asia grew from 158.7 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 212.9 thousand tons in 2021, driven by strong Chinese demand for healthy snacks. This growth persisted despite the high U.S. tariffs imposed in 2018, which raised import duties on pistachios to 55% for raw and 30% for roasted nuts. By 2021, supply constraints from Iran due to trade restrictions and climatic issues further tightened global supply, contributing to a rise in market value to over $1.5 billion.

A sharp market contraction occurred in 2022, with volume plummeting to 124.4 thousand tons. This was primarily caused by a dramatic drop in imports, exacerbated by ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions and severe supply shortages from Iran. The market rebounded to 158.2 thousand tons in 2023, supported by record U.S. pistachio production and robust seasonal demand in China during the Spring Festival period, while global prices surged by approximately 35% partly due to heightened demand for chocolate-containing products.

Throughout the period, product innovation and channel expansion shaped the market. Companies like Nánxīng Tiānhóng promoted flavored and processed pistachio products, catering to younger consumers. The growth of e-commerce and a consumer shift towards convenient, shelled nuts also supported market development, alongside increased marketing efforts that enhanced brand recognition and consumption in the region.

Production pistachios in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of pistachios, 2017-2020

World map of production of pistachios, 2017-2020

In 2019, Eastern Asia produced 76.2 thousand tons of pistachios, marking the lowest output in recent years. Production then increased slightly by 0.7% in 2020, reaching 76.8 thousand tons. The most significant production decline occurred in 2018, when output fell by 0.9%.

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

Exports pistachios from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Pistachio exports from Eastern Asia have declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports dropped sharply to 13.4 thousand tons, representing a 75.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 77.6%, with an average annual decline of 39.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, pistachio exports from Eastern Asia were distributed across numerous countries. Vietnam accounted for 34.7% of exports by volume, Thailand for 2.1%, and the United States for 1.7%. Together, these three countries represented only 38.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. In 2019, pistachio exports from Eastern Asia reached their peak at 408 million US dollars, but then plummeted by 73.3% in 2020 to 109 million US dollars. The difference between these years was 3.7-fold. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018, when export value rose by 24.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Eastern Asia's pistachio exports reached a diverse range of buyers. Vietnam accounted for 24.7% of export value, the United States for 2.2%, and Thailand for 2.0%. Combined, these three markets represented just 28.9% of total export value, with many other countries holding smaller but meaningful shares.

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

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

Imports pistachios to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2019, pistachio imports to Eastern Asia reached their highest level at 180.1 thousand tons, representing a 29.8% increase from the previous year. However, imports then fell sharply by 31.1% in 2020 to 124.2 thousand tons. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 10.6%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 3.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, pistachio imports to Eastern Asia were heavily concentrated, with the United States accounting for 72.1% of total import volume. All other countries combined represented the remaining share.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, pistachio imports to Eastern Asia declined in 2020. Import value peaked in 2019 at 1 342 million US dollars, representing a 40.5% increase from the previous year, but then fell by 38.6% in 2020 to 825 million US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 10.9%, with an average annual decline of 3.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States dominated pistachio imports to Eastern Asia in value terms, accounting for 73.8% of total import flows. All other markets together represented the remainder.

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

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