Treenuts market in Chile, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, Chile's treenuts industry expanded through significant increases in planted areas for walnuts, hazelnuts, and chestnuts, driving production growth. This was supported by rising processing capacity in regions like Maule, Biobío, and La Araucanía, which enabled higher exports. International demand grew due to global health and sustainability trends, further boosted by the UN's declaration of 2021 as the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables, an initiative led by Chile.

Domestic market volume fluctuated during the period, partly due to shifts in export flows. Record export levels in 2023 reduced domestic availability. In 2024, climatic conditions caused harvest delays, but increased export value and the implementation of the Food Labeling Law, which encourages consumption of natural snacks, sustained the sector. Digitization also played a role, with over 60% of Millennials purchasing treenuts through online platforms.

By 2025, treenuts exports reached a historic high, exceeding $643 million US, a 36% increase. This growth was driven by export market diversification, participation in international fairs, and a focus on innovation, sustainability, and technology in production and commercialization.

Production treenuts in Chile

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Chile ranked 16th globally in treenuts production between 2018 and 2021.

Top producers of treenuts, 2018-2021

World map of production of treenuts, 2018-2021

Chile's treenuts production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 248.4 K t of treenuts, marking a notable 10.1% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 15.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 210.5 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 2.2%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Treenuts production in Chile increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 1 174 M $ US, showing a moderate 9.1% rise over the past year. Between 2018 and 2021, production value increased by 4%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 996 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 11.8%.

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

Exports treenuts from Chile

Exports in kind, K t

Chile exported 143.0 K t of treenuts in 2021, marking a 15.9% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 31.1%, with a CAGR of 9.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 5.7%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 20.0%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Chile's exports in kind were distributed across multiple countries. Italy accounted for 18.2% of exports, Turkey for 15.2%, and India for 8.7%. Together, these three partners represented 42.1% of total flows, with no single country emerging as clearly dominant.

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, M $ US

In 2021, Chile's treenuts exports totaled 675.8 M $ US, showing a robust 14.9% advance relative to the prior year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports increased by 18.1%, with a CAGR of 5.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 5.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Italy (22.4% of exports in value terms), Germany (12.1%), and Turkey (8.5%) formed the largest group of buyers for Chilean treenuts. However, their combined contribution was limited to 43.0% of total exports in value terms, reflecting a diversified country structure.

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

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

Imports treenuts to Chile

Imports in kind, K t

Chile's treenuts imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country imported 9.9 K t of treenuts, marking a 12.3% year-on-year increase. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 37.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.3%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 6.4 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 10.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2020 at 36.8%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, the United States (49.1% of imports in kind), the Philippines (12.4%), and Peru (8.8%) formed the key group of partners for treenuts imports to Chile, jointly representing 70.3% of total flows.

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, M $ US

Foreign treenuts supplies to Chile increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, Chile imported 42.0 M $ US of treenuts, up by 17.1% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 36.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 27.9 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 9.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2020 at 28.7%.

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

In 2018-2021, the United States (65.9% of imports in value terms), Brazil (11.5%), and the Philippines (6.5%) continued to lead as suppliers of treenuts to Chile, jointly accounting for 83.9% of total imports in value terms.

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

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