Treenuts market in Iran

Earlier Report Observations

Iran, one of the world's top producers of pistachios and walnuts, saw its domestic treenuts consumption rise in 2019. This growth was supported by increasing consumer demand for natural and organic products, alongside the adoption of more advanced processing and packaging methods that improved product availability.

The market volume dropped sharply in 2020 as economic sanctions, marketing challenges, and exchange rate volatility constrained trade. A strong recovery followed in 2021 when a shortage of foreign currency prompted producers to reduce exports and channel more supply to the local market, coinciding with a significant increase in production.

Strikes by food and treenuts merchants in Tehran amid a severe economic downturn led to another contraction in 2022. However, the market rebounded in 2023, reaching 936 thousand tons, the highest level recorded in the period.

Production treenuts in Iran

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Iran ranked fifth globally in treenuts production.

Top producers of treenuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of treenuts, 2017-2020

In 2020, Iran produced 713 K t of treenuts, marking a 16.5% year-over-year decline. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 40%, with a compound annual growth rate of -15.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 667 K t. The sharpest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 43.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 28.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of treenuts output in Iran was 4 827 M $ US, representing a 35.4% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value declined by 54.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -23.1%. The most significant drop was in 2018, falling by 47.0%, whereas the largest gain was in 2019, increasing by 32.5%.

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

Exports treenuts from Iran

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 57.7 K t and peaked in 2020 at 208.0 K t, showing a 3.6-fold difference. In 2020, treenuts shipments from Iran abroad amounted to 208.0 K t, up 81.8% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, dropping by 58.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 98.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China (21.8% of exports in kind), India (8.7%), and Germany (7.3%) were the top buyers of treenuts from Iran. However, their combined share was only 37.7% of total exports in kind, indicating a diversified country structure.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Exports hit a low in 2018 at 488 M $ US and a high in 2020 at 1 408 M $ US, with a 2.9-fold variation. In 2020, Iran exported 1 408 M $ US of treenuts, a sharp increase of 40.7% compared to 2019. The largest decline was in 2018, falling by 60.7%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 105.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, exports of treenuts from Iran in value terms were not heavily concentrated on a few key destinations. China (17.9% of exports in value terms), India (9.9%), and Germany (9.1%) together accounted for just 36.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports treenuts to Iran

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, treenuts imports into Iran amounted to 9.3 K t, down 22.0% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 48.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of -19.7%. The largest decline was in 2018, dropping by 37.4%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 6.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia (25.9% of imports in kind), the United Arab Emirates (18.8%), and Vietnam (18.7%) were the main sources for imports in kind, jointly accounting for 63.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Treenuts imports into Iran declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 15 M $ US, down 11.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 36.7%, equating to an annualized rate of -14.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia (30.6% of imports in value terms), the United Arab Emirates (24.7%), and Sri Lanka (18.6%) formed the primary cluster of markets for imports in value terms, with a combined share of 73.9% of total flows.

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

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