Shelled walnuts market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the shelled walnuts market in Southern Europe showed significant volatility, growing from 73,046 tons to a peak of 91,927 tons in 2021 before declining to 80,392 tons by 2023. The initial increase was partly driven by the entry of new domestic processors like Nueces Íberas in 2019, which focused on fresh, locally-produced walnuts and shorter supply chains, enhancing the appeal and availability of national product.

A pivotal change occurred in 2022 when European consumers demonstrated a growing preference for shelled walnuts over in-shell nuts, boosting demand for the processed form. Concurrently, adverse weather conditions in California disrupted global walnut supplies, making Southern European consumers more receptive to fresher, regional alternatives. Despite these demand-side factors, the overall market volume contracted as local production decreased from its 2021 high.

Production shelled walnuts in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of shelled walnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of shelled walnuts, 2017-2020

Shelled walnut production in Southern Europe has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Southern Europe produced 43 969 tonnes of shelled walnuts, marking a 1.5% increase compared to 2019. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 42 734 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 0.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of shelled walnuts in Southern Europe was valued at 424.8 million US dollars, showing a modest improvement of 2.0% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 19.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 416.4 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 530.7 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 21.5%.

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

Exports shelled walnuts from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, shelled walnut shipments from Southern Europe to abroad totaled 2 400 tonnes, indicating a moderate decline of 7.4% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 12%, with a CAGR of 3.9%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 1 880 tonnes, and the highest was in 2019 at 2 590 tonnes. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 12.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a rise of 37.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Southern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, t

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that shelled walnut exports from Southern Europe were not concentrated on a few key destinations. The United Kingdom accounted for 8.0% of exports in kind, Belgium for 6.6%, and Austria for 6.4%, with these three countries jointly representing only 21.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, cross-border shipments of shelled walnuts from Southern Europe amounted to 23.2 million US dollars, reflecting a measured decrease of 6.9% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 11.4%, with a CAGR of 4.0%. The largest decline was in 2018 at 10.8%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 6.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, shelled walnut exports from Southern Europe in value terms were distributed across a wide range of markets. Belgium accounted for 10.7% of exports in value terms, the United Kingdom for 9.6%, and Austria for 6.2%, with these three countries together making up only 26.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports shelled walnuts to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year increase, foreign shelled walnut supplies to Southern Europe declined. In 2020, imports totaled 34 091 tonnes, which is 9.8% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 12.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 37 790 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 17.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Southern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Chile, and Ukraine remained the principal suppliers of shelled walnuts to Southern Europe. The United States accounted for 37.2% of imports in kind, Chile for 16.8%, and Ukraine for 14.2%, with these three countries jointly representing 68.3% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Shelled walnut imports into Southern Europe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Southern Europe imported approximately 243.0 million US dollars worth of shelled walnuts, which is 2.5% less than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 4.7%, with a CAGR of 1.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 261.3 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 4.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 2.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Chile, and Ukraine led the ranking of suppliers of shelled walnuts to Southern Europe in value terms. The United States accounted for 38.5% of imports in value terms, Chile for 19.1%, and Ukraine for 11.1%, with their combined share reaching 68.7% of total imports in value terms.

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

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