Walnuts market in Serbia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the walnut market in Serbia contracted, with volume falling from 9 953 t to 7 743 t. This decline occurred despite government subsidies for fruit planting introduced in 2019, which made walnuts the most profitable crop, and continuous annual expansion of orchard area. New high-yield varieties like Chandler were planted, but walnut production remained deficit, unable to meet domestic demand as orchards require several years to reach full productivity.

In 2022, market volume surged by 55.5% to 12 040 t. This growth was driven by the increasing adoption of modern lateral varieties that offer higher and earlier yields, up to 5-7 t per hectare. The earlier investments in planting, supported by subsidies, began to bear fruit, significantly boosting domestic production and offsetting the previous years' shortfalls.

The market adjusted in 2023, with volume decreasing to 10 456 t. Investments in walnut plantations continued to be seen as long-term and profitable, with further expansion planned. To protect orchards, measures such as the approval of the pesticide spinosad against the walnut fly were introduced in 2024. Serbia still relies on imports to cover domestic consumption, indicating persistent growth potential for local production as new plantings mature.

Production walnuts in Serbia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Serbia ranked as the 26th largest producer of walnuts globally.

Top producers of walnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of walnuts, 2017-2020

Serbia's walnut production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 8 455 tonnes of walnuts, marking a 4.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 31.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 11.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Serbia in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Walnut production in Serbia decreased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 39 706 thousand US dollars, reflecting a moderate 7.6% drop from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value declined by 45%, averaging an 18.0% annual decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Serbia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports walnuts from Serbia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 21.5 tonnes, then peaked in 2017, with a 5.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Serbia's cross-border shipments of walnuts amounted to 63.9 tonnes, indicating a slight 2.1% decline from the previous year. The largest decrease occurred in 2018, at 83.0%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 202.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia were the primary destinations for Serbia's walnut exports in kind. Montenegro accounted for 40.0% of exports, Bosnia and Herzegovina for 28.9%, and North Macedonia for 8.7%, together making up 77.5% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market experienced notable fluctuations over this timeframe. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 137 thousand US dollars, then peaked in 2017, with a 5.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Serbia's foreign walnut supplies reached 300 thousand US dollars, showing a moderate 5.5% drop from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018 at 81.7%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 132.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia were the main buyers of walnuts from Serbia in value terms. Montenegro represented 41.6% of exports, Bosnia and Herzegovina 26.8%, and North Macedonia 8.1%, collectively comprising 76.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports walnuts to Serbia

Imports in kind, t

Import levels varied considerably during this period. They were at their lowest in 2017, then reached a high in 2019, with a 2.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Serbia's cross-border shipments of walnuts stood at 109.8 tonnes, representing a 49.3% decrease from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 216.7 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 165.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, Moldova, and China were the leading sources of walnut imports in kind for Serbia. Ukraine accounted for 45.5% of imports, Moldova for 28.7%, and China for 7.6%, together making up 81.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. Imports were at their lowest in 2017, then peaked in 2019, with a 4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Serbia's walnut shipments from abroad amounted to 507 thousand US dollars, down by 54.4% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was in 2019 at 1 113 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 219.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Ukraine, Moldova, and China remained the main suppliers of walnuts to Serbia in value terms. Ukraine represented 35.1% of imports, Moldova 28.0%, and China 11.4%, jointly forming 74.5% of total import value.

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

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