Treenuts market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The tree nuts market in China grew steadily in physical volume from 3 272 thousand metric tons in 2018 to 4 490 thousand metric tons in 2023. This expansion was initially propelled by a surge in consumer demand for Western-style nut snacks, particularly for pistachios, coupled with the rapid growth of cross-border e-commerce which broadened import channels and sales access. Health and wellness trends solidified as a core consumption driver, while the planned market entry and supply chain investment by major international player Wonderful Pistachios and Almonds LLC intensified competition and market activity.

Continued consumer focus on health, convenience, and product variety supported market growth through the period. Cross-border e-commerce remained a vital channel for imported nuts. In later years, external factors such as international geopolitical conflicts and extreme weather events introduced volatility to global supply chains and sourcing costs, which alongside stricter domestic regulations on food labeling and online sales, contributed to fluctuations in market value, as seen in the decline to 11 796 million US dollars in 2023 despite volume growth.

Production treenuts in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, China ranked as the second-largest producer of treenuts from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of treenuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of treenuts, 2017-2020

China's treenuts production grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2 975 K t of treenuts, marking a modest increase of 4.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 2.8%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 2 717 K t, which saw the largest decline of 6.1%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 4.7% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in China in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

China's treenuts production value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 13 071 M $ US, representing a slight decrease of 0.9% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 23.8%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -8.7%.

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

Exports treenuts from China

Exports in kind, K t

Market performance showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports varied by a factor of two, with the lowest point in 2017 and the highest in 2019. In 2020, treenuts exports from China amounted to 155 K t, reflecting a minor decrease of 1.1% from 2019. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 157 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 72.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China's treenuts exports in kind were distributed across a wide range of buyers. Kyrgyzstan (17.0% of exports in kind), Turkey (8.1%), and Pakistan (7.6%) together accounted for 32.7% of total exports in kind, with numerous other countries holding smaller but notable shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, treenuts exports from China were valued at 682 M $ US, indicating a decline of 6.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 49.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.4%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 453 M $ US, while the highest was in 2019 at 727 M $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 60.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, China's treenuts exports in value terms were not heavily concentrated in a few key markets. Germany (14.4% of exports in value terms), Kyrgyzstan (12.7%), and the United States (12.5%) collectively made up 39.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports treenuts to China

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, China's treenuts imports in kind declined. In 2020, imports totaled 996 K t, down 4.8% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 81.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 22.1%. The highest level was in 2019 at 1 045 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 61.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia (27.7% of imports in kind), Thailand (22.7%), and Vietnam (16.3%) were the primary sources for China's treenuts imports in kind, together accounting for 66.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend over this timeframe. Imports changed by a factor of 2.5, with the trough in 2017 and the peak in 2019. In 2020, China's treenuts imports in value terms reached 2 062 M $ US, a 16.0% decrease from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 455 M $ US, which also had the largest increase of 95.1%.

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

In 2017-2020, the United States (32.2% of imports in value terms), Australia (12.4%), and Iran (10.9%) formed the main group of destinations for China's treenuts imports in value terms, with a combined share of 55.6% of total flows.

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

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