Pistachios market in Northern Africa, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The pistachio market volume in Northern Africa grew significantly from 5 318 t in 2018 to 13 109 t in 2023, primarily fueled by a sharp increase in imports. Imports rose more than fivefold over this period, starting with rapid growth from 2019 onwards. This surge was supported by heavy reliance on U.S. supplies, which accounted for about 92% of imports, alongside growing volumes from Turkey. High global pistachio production, including a record harvest in the United States and Turkey in 2020, contributed to import availability. Furthermore, shifting consumer habits and the rise of modern patisserie boosted demand for pistachios in the region.

Domestic pistachio production remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 3 140 t and 3 242 t annually. This stagnation is attributed to technical constraints such as high seedling mortality after transplantation and specific climatic requirements, including the need for a cold winter period for flowering. Although the Ministry of Agriculture considered expanding pistachio cultivation by 2 000 hectares and the national "Green Generation 2020-2030" strategy identifies pistachios as a high-value diversification crop for arid zones, implementation has been hampered by water resource shortages, lack of organized supply chains, and limited access to certified planting material.

Imports continued to climb, reaching a new record of 12 228 t in 2024, a 27.5% increase over 2023, confirming robust domestic demand. Regional interest in pistachio cultivation, fueled by repeated droughts and the search for drought-resistant crops as seen in neighboring Spain, has not yet translated into substantial local production expansion in Northern Africa. Consequently, the market remains heavily import-dependent to meet growing consumption.

Production pistachios in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pistachios, 2017-2020

World map of production of pistachios, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, pistachio production in Northern Africa declined. In 2020, the region produced 3 140 tonnes of pistachios, marking a 3.1% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 4.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 3 242 tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 with a 5.2% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports pistachios from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Pistachio exports from Northern Africa have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 12 tonnes, remaining largely stable compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 1 474.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 150.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Yemen remained the dominant and nearly exclusive destination for pistachio exports from Northern Africa, accounting for 100.0% of the total.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Pistachio exports from Northern Africa have grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region exported pistachios worth 33 thousand US dollars, up by 6.6% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 231.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 49.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Yemen, and Germany were the top contributors to pistachio export value from Northern Africa. The Netherlands accounted for 34.1% of exports, Yemen for 31.8%, and Germany for 21.7%, together making up 87.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports pistachios to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Pistachio imports into Northern Africa have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported approximately 4 626 tonnes of pistachios, representing a 41.4% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 130%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 32.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Iran, Turkey, and the United States were the primary suppliers of pistachios to Northern Africa in terms of volume. Iran contributed 27.8% of imports, Turkey 24.2%, and the United States 20.9%, collectively accounting for 72.9% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Pistachio imports into Northern Africa have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 35 049 thousand US dollars, up by 18.2% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value rose by 213.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 46.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Syria, Turkey, and the United States continued to be the main suppliers of pistachios to Northern Africa in value terms. Syria accounted for 31.6% of imports, Turkey for 22.4%, and the United States for 21.1%, together forming 75.1% of total import value.

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

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