Walnuts market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

The U.S. walnut market from 2018 to 2023 was shaped by rising consumer focus on health and wellness, which boosted demand for walnuts as a nutritious snack. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 accelerated this trend, leading to a notable increase in market volume to 449.6 thousand tons as consumers stocked up on healthy at-home options. Promotional efforts by the California Walnut Board, highlighting walnuts' omega-3 and antioxidant benefits, further supported consumption throughout the period.

Supply-side developments played a crucial role in meeting this demand. In 2023, Guerra Nut Shelling Company's expansion of its California processing facility directly increased production capacity, contributing to a rise in output to 751.2 thousand tons. Concurrently, product innovation such as the launch of flavored and ready-to-eat walnut snacks by firms like Alpine Pacific Nut created new market segments and consumption occasions from 2022 onward.

Production faced significant challenges in 2024, as reduced bearing acreage and extreme weather conditions including drought and summer heat in California led to an estimated 19% decline in walnut output. This supply shock increased the market's reliance on imports, particularly from China, underscoring the impact of environmental factors on domestic production stability.

Production walnuts in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States ranked as the world's second-largest producer of walnuts.

Top producers of walnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of walnuts, 2017-2020

In 2020, the United States produced 716.7 thousand tons of walnuts, representing a 20.6% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 25.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.8%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 3.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of walnut production in the United States reached 3 334 million US dollars, marking a 25.1% year-over-year increase. Between 2017 and 2020, production value rose by 10.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 665 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 17.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports walnuts from the United States

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, the United States exported 268.2 thousand tons of walnuts, a 4.0% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 3.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.0%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 245.2 thousand tons, with a 5.8% decline that year. Exports peaked in 2019 at 279.5 thousand tons, reflecting a 14.0% increase.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates were notable buyers of US walnuts, accounting for 14.6%, 9.3%, and 8.9% of exports in volume, respectively. However, their combined share of total exports was only 32.7%, indicating a diversified market.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

US walnut exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value amounted to 1 248 million US dollars, showing minimal change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 8.9%, with an average annual decline of 3.1%.

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

The value-based export structure from 2017 to 2020 highlights a diversified partner base. Germany, Japan, and Turkey accounted for 12.3%, 9.3%, and 9.1% of export value, respectively, totaling only 30.7% of overall flows. The remaining 69.3% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports walnuts to the United States

Imports in kind, K t

US walnut imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume was 1.2 thousand tons, a 35.0% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 83.2%, with an average annual decline of 44.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Moldova, Chile, and Romania were the primary suppliers of walnuts to the United States, contributing 28.6%, 18.6%, and 17.0% of import volume, respectively. Together, they accounted for 64.2% of total imports.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

US walnut imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import value totaled 7 million US dollars, a 35.5% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 30.4%, with an average annual decline of 11.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 11 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 11.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Moldova, Chile, and Romania remained key partners in US walnut imports by value, accounting for 27.7%, 20.2%, and 12.2%, respectively. Their combined share represented 60.1% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020