Treenuts market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the treenuts market in Southern Europe grew from 1.3 million tons to a peak of 1.4 million tons. This expansion was supported by the cultivation potential in arid regions of southern Europe, where crops like almonds and pistachios found favorable conditions for development, as European production struggled to keep pace with rising demand.

Market volume dipped slightly in 2021 and 2022 but recovered to 1.4 million tons in 2023. Growing health awareness, the popularity of healthy snacks, and the rise of e-commerce continued to fuel consumption. The production increase in 2023 was directly driven by investments in new, efficient irrigated plantations and climate-adapted varieties for almonds, walnuts, and pistachios.

In 2024, nut production in Spain reportedly rose by 15%, reflecting the ongoing territorial expansion of almond cultivation and the consolidation of pistachio as a growing crop. Consumption was bolstered by the diversification of industrial uses into plant-based drinks, bakery, and energy bars, alongside sustained demand for nutritious foods, although exports faced challenges from a lack of harmonized phytosanitary certificates within the EU.

Production treenuts in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of treenuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of treenuts, 2017-2020

Southern Europe's treenuts production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 1 178 K t of treenuts, marking a significant 14.7% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 44.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 13.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Treenuts production in Southern Europe has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 8 492 M $ US, representing a moderate year-over-year increase of 6.5%. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 34.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.3%.

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

Exports treenuts from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Cross-border shipments of treenuts from Southern Europe have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 209.3 K t of treenuts, reflecting a gradual 5.1% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 21.1%, with an annualized growth rate of 6.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the country structure of exports in kind was highly diversified. Germany accounted for 20.3% of exports, France for 16.5%, and the United States for 3.9%, with these three countries together making up 40.6% of total flows. The remaining 59.4% was distributed among a long tail of smaller markets.

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

After a two-year rise, the value of treenuts exports from Southern Europe declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 509 M $ US, showing a slight drop of 2.4% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 12.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.0%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 1 545 M $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 9.8% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and the United States were the largest buyers of treenuts from Southern Europe in value terms, contributing 23.7%, 17.3%, and 5.7% of exports, respectively. However, their combined share was limited to 46.7% of total exports, indicating a diversified country structure.

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 treenuts to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year uptick, Southern Europe's volume of treenuts imports declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 478.1 K t, down by 4.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 12.8%, with a CAGR of 4.1%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 500.6 K t, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 9.9% rise.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States, Turkey, and Chile were the key partners for treenuts imports in kind to Southern Europe, accounting for 37.9%, 10.1%, and 5.7% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 53.8% of total import flows.

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

After a two-year increase, the value of treenuts imports to Southern Europe declined. In 2020, imports totalled 2 905 M $ US, down by 1.2% compared with 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 13.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 939 M $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 with an 8.6% rise.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, the United States, Turkey, and Chile remained the main suppliers of treenuts to Southern Europe in value terms, contributing 39.6%, 12.2%, and 6.4% of imports, respectively. Jointly, they formed 58.1% 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