Walnuts market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the walnut market in Northern America showed considerable volatility. Market volume stood at 628.5 thousand tonnes in 2018, fell to 595.7 thousand tonnes in 2019, then jumped sharply to 718.7 thousand tonnes in 2020 before receding to 679.1 thousand tonnes in 2021.

The market stabilized in 2022 with a slight increase to 686.2 thousand tonnes, supported by growing consumer demand for plant-based proteins and processed walnut ingredients, alongside supply chain adjustments to climate-related yield variability. A pronounced expansion followed in 2023, with volume reaching 751.6 thousand tonnes—a rise of nearly 10%. This surge was propelled by targeted promotional efforts, including the California Walnut Board's direct-to-consumer holiday campaign, and sustained consumer interest in clean-label, omega-3 rich snack and bakery products.

Production walnuts in Northern America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of walnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of walnuts, 2017-2020

In 2020, Northern America produced 716.7 thousand tons of walnuts, marking a solid 20.6% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 25.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 3.5%.

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

Exports walnuts from Northern America

Exports in kind, t

Northern America's walnut exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 25 tons of walnuts, which represents a 27.2% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 92.6%, with an average annual decline of 57.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Northern America's walnut exports in volume terms were Germany (1.7% of exports), China (1.5% of exports), and Chile (1.3% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 4.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Walnut exports from Northern America declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 0.2 million US dollars, down 1.7% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 91.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 56.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of walnuts from Northern America in value terms were Chile (3.2% of exports), China (1.6% of exports), and Germany (1.3% of exports). Collectively, these three markets represented 6.2% of total export value.

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

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

Imports walnuts to Northern America

Imports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1 507 tons and peaked in 2017, with a 19-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, walnut imports into Northern America stood at 2 046 tons, reflecting a sharp 35.8% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when imports fell by 88.0%.

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

Throughout the period from 2017 to 2020, China and Chile remained the leading sources for walnut imports into Northern America in volume terms, together accounting for 4.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Northern America's walnut imports amounted to 89.1 million US dollars, marking a 15.4% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 15.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 77.2 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 100.1 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 22.9% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a 29.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China and Chile played the leading roles in walnut imports into Northern America in value terms, jointly accounting for 3.7% of total import flows.

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

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