Walnuts market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The Chinese walnut market volume grew from 825 thousand tons in 2018 to over 1 million tons by 2020. This expansion was primarily fueled by a rapid nationwide increase in walnut planting area and orchard yields, which boosted domestic production. Simultaneously, rising per capita consumption, as walnuts became a more common part of the Chinese diet, sustained strong domestic demand.

After a modest contraction in 2021, the market volume rebounded and continued its upward climb, reaching 1 076 thousand tons in 2022. The overall growth trajectory highlighted the market's resilience and underlying momentum during this period.

The market volume further increased to 1 135 thousand tons in 2023. This growth was supported by a continuous rise in the number of walnut processing and planting enterprises across major producing provinces like Yunnan, Sichuan, and Shaanxi. Significant supply chain investments, such as the retail leader Liangpin Shop establishing its first dedicated walnut raw material base in Yunnan's Fengqing county, helped strengthen the industry's foundation and capacity.

Production walnuts in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China was the world's largest producer of walnuts.

Top producers of walnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of walnuts, 2017-2020

China's walnut production grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1,100 thousand tons of walnuts, marking a 10.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 10%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 850 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 15.0%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase of 17.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

China's walnut production value fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 3,291 million US dollars, down 8.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value dropped by 44.5%, translating to an average annual decrease of 17.8%.

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

Exports walnuts from China

Exports in kind, t

China's walnut exports continued to grow for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 95,607 tons, showing a slight increase of 1.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 434.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 74.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, and Turkey were the key export partners for China's walnuts in terms of volume. Kyrgyzstan accounted for 33.0% of exports, Pakistan for 15.0%, and Turkey for 11.5%. Together, these three countries represented 59.6% of total export flows.

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

The market performance showed notable fluctuations during this period. From 2017 to 2019, there was a significant variation, with the highest value in 2019 being 3.2 times greater than the lowest. In 2020, walnut exports from China amounted to 286.0 million US dollars, a 16.2% decrease year-over-year. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 341.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 127.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, and Turkey led China's walnut exports in value terms. Kyrgyzstan made up 31.6% of exports, Pakistan 13.5%, and Turkey 8.2%. Combined, these partners accounted for 53.3% of total export 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 walnuts to China

Imports in kind, t

China's walnut imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume stood at 6,304 tons, reflecting a modest decrease of 6.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 21.6%, with an average annual decline of 7.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China's walnut imports in terms of volume were highly concentrated, with the United States and Chile dominating. Together, these two countries accounted for 96.1% of total import flows, while other partners made up the remainder.

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

China's walnut import value dropped for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 20.9 million US dollars, a significant decline of 23.6% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 38.1%, equating to an average annual reduction of 14.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 34.1 million US dollars, which also saw a slight increase of 0.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States and Chile were the main sources for China's walnut imports in value terms, jointly representing 97.1% of total flows. Other partners each held much smaller shares.

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

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