Shelled walnuts market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the shelled walnut market in Eastern Europe reached 48 thousand tons, supported by the expansion of intensive walnut orchards in Ukraine and the start of exports to new markets, including Japan. However, in 2019, the market volume fell to 26.6 thousand tons, partly due to a significant increase in exports from the region. The market showed resilience in 2020, recovering to 35 thousand tons despite the COVID-19 pandemic, aided by growing production of nut crops in Russia.

A sharp rise to 52.9 thousand tons in 2021 was driven by increased demand in CIS countries, where shelled walnut sales grew by 22% over the previous four years. The market dipped slightly to 51.8 thousand tons in 2022, remaining at a high level. Then, in 2023, the market volume expanded to 62.7 thousand tons, fueled by a 22% rise in nut sales in Russia and a shift in Ukrainian exports toward higher-value shelled nuts, which stimulated processing activity.

By 2024, Ukraine had strengthened its position as the world's fourth-largest walnut producer with an output of about 101 thousand tons, supported by state grants for orchard establishment. In Russia, consumption continued to grow, driven by the trend toward healthy eating, although the market remained highly import-dependent. The overall trend across the period shows an expansion in production and processing, alongside rising domestic demand.

Production shelled walnuts in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of shelled walnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of shelled walnuts, 2017-2020

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) experienced a second consecutive year of declining shelled walnut production. In 2019, the region produced 76 700 tons, but this fell to 69 298 tons in 2020, representing a 9.6% decrease. Over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 11.6%, averaging an annual decline of 4.0%. The peak production occurred in 2018 at 85 041 tons, which was an 8.5% increase from the previous year. However, the most significant decline took place in 2019 with a 9.9% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of decline, the value of shelled walnut production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) rebounded in 2020. Output was valued at 311.8 million US dollars, marking a 2.3% increase from 2019's 304.9 million US dollars. Despite this recent uptick, production value fell by 35% overall between 2017 and 2020, with a compound annual growth rate of -13.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 304.9 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 35.0% during the period.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports shelled walnuts from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) saw a decline in shelled walnut export volumes in 2020. Exports totaled 44 704 tons, down 26.4% from 60 711 tons in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports still increased by 6.8% overall, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%. The highest export volume was achieved in 2019 at 60 711 tons, which represented a significant 34.6% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, shelled walnut exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were distributed across numerous markets. The top three destinations—France (15.3% of export volume), Turkey (12.0%), and Germany (8.1%)—collectively accounted for just 35.4% of total exports, indicating a highly diversified trade flow.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) experienced a third consecutive year of declining shelled walnut export values in 2020. Exports amounted to 201.2 million US dollars, a 16.7% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export values fell by 21.4%, averaging an annual decline of 7.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the value-based export portfolio for shelled walnuts from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was notably broad. The leading partners—France (18.3% of export value), Germany (10.7%), and the Netherlands (7.8%)—together represented only 36.9% of total exports, highlighting the region's diverse market reach.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports shelled walnuts to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, shelled walnut import volumes into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined slightly in 2020. Imports totaled 10 454 tons, down 2.1% from 10 678 tons in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 31.4% overall, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.5%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 10 678 tons, which saw the largest increase of 31.9% during this timeframe.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, key suppliers of shelled walnuts to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) included China (8.7% of import volume), Chile (7.5%), and Germany (6.7%). However, their combined share reached only 22.9% of total imports, with the remaining 77.1% spread across many other partners, underscoring the region's diversified sourcing strategy.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) saw a third consecutive year of increasing shelled walnut import values in 2020. Imports were valued at 96.3 million US dollars, reflecting a substantial 27.8% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values grew by 36.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value-based import structure from 2017 to 2020 reveals a diversified partner set for Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia). The top three suppliers—Chile (13.2% of import value), Germany (12.2%), and China (9.5%)—jointly accounted for only 35.0% of total imports, while the remaining 65.0% was distributed among numerous smaller markets, indicating a broad and varied supply network.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020