Shelled almonds market in Chile

Earlier Report Observations

The Chilean shelled almond market saw growing interest from farmers in production at the start of the period, with the introduction of European varieties that allowed cultivation to expand southward. This supported rising output, though market volume dipped in 2019 before a sharp increase in 2020 as global almond demand began to grow due to the popularity of Mediterranean diets and a rising middle class in emerging markets.

By 2021, sustained global demand and Chile's efforts to improve yields and access new markets supported further market volume growth. In 2022, however, worldwide supply shortages of inputs, higher production costs, and severe climatic events affecting the global nut industry constrained expansion, leading to stabilization. The following year, the signing of a protocol to export shelled almonds to China opened a major new market, boosting exports. This, coupled with a slight dip in domestic production, contributed to a contraction in the local market volume in 2023.

Production shelled almonds in Chile

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Globally, Chile ranked as the 11th largest producer of shelled almonds from 2018 to 2021.

Top producers of shelled almonds, 2018-2021

World map of production of shelled almonds, 2018-2021

Chile's production of shelled almonds grew for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 24 103 tonnes, marking a 9.5% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production rose by 29.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.9%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Chile's production value of shelled almonds fell for the second consecutive year. In 2021, output was valued at 145.3 million US dollars, showing no change from 2020. The highest value occurred in 2019 at 147.0 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year of 3.3%. The most significant drop was in 2020, at 0.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Chile in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports shelled almonds from Chile

Exports in kind, t

Chile exported 7 627 tonnes of shelled almonds in 2021, a strong 18.1% rise from 2020. The lowest volume was in 2020 at 6 457 tonnes, while the peak was in 2019 at 10 125 tonnes. The largest decline happened in 2020, down 36.2%, and the biggest increase was in 2019, up 34.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Russia, Argentina, and Brazil were the top buyers of Chilean shelled almonds by volume. Russia accounted for 26.7% of exports, Argentina for 20.2%, and Brazil for 17.1%, together making up 63.9% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Chile exported 45 964 thousand US dollars worth of shelled almonds in 2021, a 7.4% increase from the year before. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports fell by 20%, with an average annual decline of 7.2%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 42 793 thousand US dollars, and the highest in 2019 at 73 413 thousand US dollars. The largest drop occurred in 2020, down 41.7%, while the biggest rise was in 2019, up 27.8%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Russia, Argentina, and Brazil remained the leading buyers of Chilean shelled almonds by value. Russia held 26.4% of exports, Argentina 19.8%, and Brazil 17.1%, collectively representing 63.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports shelled almonds to Chile

Imports in kind, t

Chile's imports of shelled almonds increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports reached 4 764 tonnes, up 21.3% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 58.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.6%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 2 589 tonnes, with the largest decline that year of 13.9%. The biggest increase was in 2020, at 51.7%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, the United States dominated Chile's shelled almond imports by volume, consistently making up 98.9% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Chile's imports of shelled almonds by value rose for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 23 693 thousand US dollars, a modest 4.8% increase from the year before. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 26.3%, with an annualized growth rate of 8.1%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 17 277 thousand US dollars, where the largest decline of 7.9% occurred. The biggest increase was in 2020, at 30.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States was the clear leader in supplying shelled almonds to Chile by value, accounting for 99.0% of total imports.

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

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