Walnuts market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the walnut market volume in Southern Asia increased from 638 thousand tons to 733 thousand tons. This growth was primarily driven by rising health consciousness and consumer preference for plant-based diets, which elevated demand for walnuts as a nutrient-dense superfood. The expansion was further supported by tariff removals on imported walnuts, particularly from California and Chile, which facilitated a significant increase in imports during 2021.

The market volume contracted to 693 thousand tons in 2022 as local production in Jammu & Kashmir faced challenges from climate change, poor orchard management, and increased competition from imports. However, a sharp recovery followed in 2023, with the market reaching 805 thousand tons. This rebound was fueled by a surge in imports from California and Chile, supported by ongoing tariff policies and sustained consumer demand for walnuts.

Production walnuts in Southern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of walnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of walnuts, 2017-2020

Southern Asia's walnut production increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 690.0 thousand tons of walnuts, marking a controlled 4.8% rise from the previous year. However, looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production actually declined by 2.9%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 1.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 637.8 thousand tons, with that year also seeing the largest drop of 10.3%.

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

Exports walnuts from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Walnut exports from Southern Asia fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 1,235 tons, a sharp 61.0% decrease compared to 2019. Over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 63%, averaging an annual decline of 28.2%. The peak export volume was in 2018 at 4,535 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 36.1% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Southern Asia's walnut exports were Turkey, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates. Turkey accounted for 51.2% of exports in volume, Iraq for 12.6%, and the UAE for 8.6%. Together, these three markets made up 72.4% of total walnut exports from the region.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of walnut exports from Southern Asia reached 13,588 thousand US dollars, showing a moderate 3.3% decline from 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, export value fell by 48.7%, with an average annual decrease of 19.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 12,556 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the steepest drop of 52.6%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 11.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates were the top three markets for Southern Asia's walnut exports in value terms, collectively representing 72.3% of total export earnings.

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

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

Imports walnuts to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, t

Walnut imports into Southern Asia showed significant volatility during this period. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 7,392 tons, while the lowest was in 2017 at 1,945 tons, resulting in a 3.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports stood at 6,774 tons, down 8.4% from the previous year. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, with a jump of 134.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China and the United States dominated walnut imports into Southern Asia in volume terms, with other countries playing a smaller role individually.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values for walnuts into Southern Asia were highly volatile from 2017 to 2020. The peak was in 2019 at 17,055 thousand US dollars, and the trough was in 2017 at 5,500 thousand US dollars, creating a 3.1-fold gap. In 2020, imports amounted to 15,554 thousand US dollars, reflecting a moderate 8.8% decrease from 2019. The most significant increase happened in 2018, with a rise of 117.3%.

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

During 2017–2020, China and the United States together accounted for 84.4% of the total import value of walnuts into Southern Asia, while the remaining imports were distributed across various other markets.

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

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