Walnuts market Ukraine, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the domestic walnut market in Ukraine experienced significant swings driven by export fluctuations. In 2018, a high harvest was partly offset by low nut quality, which constrained export opportunities and kept the domestic market volume at 86.3 thousand t. The following year, walnuts remained a key export commodity, accounting for 64% of fruit export revenue, and a sharp rise in exports to 68.0 thousand t reduced domestic availability, pulling the market size down to 57.9 thousand t.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 abruptly changed conditions. Quarantine measures disrupted contracts and cut external demand, slashing exports to 39.0 thousand t. Coupled with another sizable harvest that year, this pushed the domestic market volume up to 74.4 thousand t. In the subsequent period, increased competition from Chinese exports on global markets and ongoing investments into new plantations under the 'Ukrainian Walnut' program, supported by a $15 million loan from international and state banks, helped keep exports relatively subdued. This supported further growth of the domestic market, which reached 82.4 thousand t in 2022.

Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 led to reduced planted areas in several regions and caused a further export drop due to logistical constraints, underpinning domestic supply. By 2023, Ukrainian exporters had managed to access new markets, increasing exports to 30.6 thousand t, which brought the domestic market volume down to 75.6 thousand t. Throughout the period, state subsidies facilitated the establishment of approximately 6 000 hectares of new orchards between 2018 and 2023, aiming to strengthen the production base.

Production walnuts Ukraine

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Ukraine ranked 9th globally in walnut production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of walnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of walnuts, 2017-2020

Ukraine's walnut production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 113.3 K t of walnuts, marking a moderate 10.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 4.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 127.2 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 17.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Ukraine's walnut output was valued at 283.3 M $ US, representing a 10.7% increase compared to 2019. However, from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 20.3%, equating to an annualized decline of 7.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 256.0 M $ US, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 363.4 M $ US. The most significant drop was in 2019, with a 29.6% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production Ukraine in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports walnuts to Ukraine

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Ukraine's walnut export volume declined. In 2020, exports totaled 38 963 t, a 42.7% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 26%, with an annualized growth rate of 8.0%. The highest export volume was in 2019 at 68 044 t, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 66.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Ukraine in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine's walnut export structure in kind was fragmented, with Turkey (31.1% of exports), Iraq (8.6%), and Azerbaijan (7.8%) together accounting for 47.6% of total flows, and no single country holding a dominant share.

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

World map of product's exports to Ukraine in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of increase, Ukraine's cross-border walnut shipments declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 97.4 M $ US, a 29.6% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 3.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 138.4 M $ US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 18.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Ukraine in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine exported walnuts to numerous countries, with the largest destinations—Turkey, France, and Greece—together representing only 35.9% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports to Ukraine in value, 2017-2020

Imports walnuts in Ukraine

Imports in kind, t

Ukraine's walnut imports showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at approximately 11 t, down by 89.3% from the previous year. The peak was in 2017, with a 24-fold difference between these years. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 7.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Chile remained the primary source for Ukraine's walnut imports in kind, accounting for 89.7% of total flows, while the rest was distributed among various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Ukraine's walnut imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 0.1 M $ US, a steep 31.5% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 66.5%, with a compound annual decline of 30.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chile (69.5% of import value), China (7.3%), and Uzbekistan (7.1%) formed the main cluster for Ukraine's walnut imports in value terms, together accounting for 83.9% of total flows.

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

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