Walnuts market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

The walnut market volume in Eastern Europe declined sharply in 2019 to 153.6 thousand tons, largely because a surge in exports from Ukraine, where the industry was commercializing and diversifying into new markets like Japan, redirected supply away from the domestic region. This was followed by a steady recovery, with the market expanding to 214.6 thousand tons by 2023.

This growth was underpinned by resilient post-COVID-19 demand, a documented 22% increase in nut sales across CIS countries from 2017 to 2021, and state-supported development. Ukrainian grant programs covering up to 70% of orchard establishment costs stimulated production, while Russia's market, with over 95% import dependency, drove consistent import growth. By 2023, record-high prices in Ukraine reflected strong demand and investments in high-return processing facilities aimed to capture more value from the crop.

Production walnuts in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of walnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of walnuts, 2017-2020

Walnut production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 210.5 thousand tonnes of walnuts, marking a 7.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 2.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 235.5 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 14.8% that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports walnuts from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, walnut exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) fell in 2020. The region exported 56,954 tonnes of walnuts that year, down 39.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 9.2%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 3.0%. The peak export volume was in 2019 at 93,610 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 59.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, walnut exports in volume terms were distributed across a diverse range of partners. Turkey accounted for 21.5% of exports, France for 11.3%, and Germany for 7.2%, together making up 40.0% of total flows. The remaining 60.0% was spread among numerous smaller markets.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, walnut exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value terms amounted to 214.8 million US dollars, a decrease of 22.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 22.4%, with an average annual decrease of 8.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 3.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Germany, and Turkey were significant buyers of walnuts from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value terms. France accounted for 16.9% of exports, Germany for 11.0%, and Turkey for 8.0%, collectively representing 35.8% of total export value. The remaining 64.2% was distributed among many other partners.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports walnuts to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, t

After rising for two years, walnut imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined in 2020. Imports that year stood at 19,665 tonnes, showing little change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 27.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.4%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 19,707 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 17.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of walnut imports in volume terms remained highly diversified. Chile accounted for 13.5% of imports, France for 10.4%, and China for 6.0%, together making up 29.9% of total flows. The remaining 70.1% came from a wide array of smaller markets.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, walnut imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value terms reached 116.3 million US dollars, up 18.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 25%, equating to an average annual increase of 7.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 0.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market base for walnut imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was broad. Chile accounted for 15.9% of imports, Germany for 9.7%, and China for 8.0%, together representing just 33.6% of total flows. The remaining 66.4% was shared by numerous other countries.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020