PRODUCTION
France
A majority of walnuts (60 percent) produced in France are exported in-shell. Production and exports are increasing on the long run. Exports rose by 80 percent in ten years. However, France is a net importer of shelled walnuts. Due to high domestic processing costs, a part of the walnuts produced in France are shelled abroad, mainly in Moldova, and then imported back. Imports and consumption of shelled walnuts are increasing.
Walnut orchards continue to slowly grow driven by both export demand and an increased consumption of shelled walnuts.
In 2017, French walnut production is expected to remain stable. However, such figure hides a massive loss of 50 percent of the production in the South-west of France (Grande Aquitaine) because of a disastrous frost in late April 2017. On the other hand, the production in the South East of France (Rhone-Alpes region mainly) is expected to reach record level.
A significant share of the walnut production in both regions (about 35 percent) is produced under a GI (Geographical Indication) scheme:
– “Noix du Périgord” in the South West since 2002
– “Noix de Grenoble” in the South East since 1938
Italy
Italy lost its walnut market leadership a few decades ago and now is a leading importer, mainly from the United States. Most walnuts are cultivated in Campania (Southern Italy), where the main varieties are Sorrento and Malizia. Farmers in Northern Italy have established efficient and profitable walnut orchards planted with Lara and Chandler cultivars. Italy’s MY 2017/18 walnut production is preliminarily forecast to increase to approximately 12,000 MT thanks to a good harvest in the South (9,500 MT compared to 6,000 MT in MY 2016/17) despite a slight production reduction in the Nord (2,500 MT compared to 3,000 MT in MY 2016/17) due to the frost in April. Quality is expected to be good.
Spain
In Spain, there main growing regions are Extremadura, Galicia, Valencia, Castilla-La Mancha, Andalucia, Aragon and Murcia. The MAPAMA has not yet published the official walnut production data for MY 2017. Therefore, if weather conditions are favorable, we can expect an average production of 15,000 MT for current MY.
Table 4. Major EU Walnut Producers in MT (In-shell Basis)
| COUNTRY |
MY 2015/16 |
MY 2016/17 | MY 2017/18 |
| France | 42,281 | 40,471 | 40,000 |
| Romania | 33,400 | 34,100 | 33,000 |
| Spain | 15,300 | 13,700 | 15,000 |
Source: FAS Europe Offices
CONSUMPTION
Walnuts are mainly purchased in winter time both in-shell and shelled for fresh consumption, particularly during Christmas time. More consumers are increasingly purchasing walnuts all year round due to their perceived nutritional benefits and healthy snacking trends are expected to drive
consumption in the forecast period. The continued release of studies and research showing the cardiovascular benefits have made walnuts very popular among health-conscious consumers
In this sense, California Walnuts continues to conduct very appropriate consumer advertising campaigns focusing on the health benefits of walnuts as well as the key messages of origin, quality and/or versatility. These actions have a very positive impact in the image of California Walnuts and increased the education on the health benefits of the product.
IMPORTS
The wide gap between EU walnut production and imports provides excellent opportunities for walnut exporters. The United States continues to be the number one supplier of walnuts, both in-shell and shelled. The EU imports various types of nuts for direct consumption as well as for further processing and re-export within the region in different forms, such as salted, baked, fried and mixed nuts.
Table 5. EU-28 Imports of Walnuts by Origin in MT (Inshell Basis)
| Country of origin | MY 2013/14 | MY 2014/15 | MY 2015/16 |
| United States | 84,839 | 97,586 | 123,794 |
| Chile | 21,710 | 24,059 | 30,965 |
| Moldova | 23,280 | 24,476 | 23,396 |
| Ukraine | 19,855 | 22,172 | 14,064 |
| India | 5,822 | 2,256 | 4,566 |
| China | 5,014 | 3,402 | 1,691 |
| Others | 5,304 | 8,055 | 5,162 |
| TOTAL IMPORTS | 165,824 | 182,006 | 203,638 |
Source: GTA
EXPORTS
EU-28 exports of walnuts are very limited. The top destinations for EU-28 walnuts in MY 2015/16 were Turkey, Moldova and Switzerland.
Table 6. EU-28 Exports of Walnuts by Destination in MT (Inshell Basis)
| Country of origin | MY 2013/14 | MY 2014/15 | MY 2015/16 |
| Turkey | 7,818 | 4,215 | 5,521 |
| Moldova | 3,026 | 2,574 | 3,351 |
| Switzerland | 2,600 | 2,651 | 2,989 |
| United States | 1,745 | 708 | 674 |
| Iraq | 978 | 282 | 600 |
| Jordan | 727 | 598 | 594 |
| Others | 7,752 | 5,481 | 4,527 |
| TOTAL EXPORTS | 24,646 | 16,509 | 18,256 |
Source: GTA
PRODUCTION, SUPPLY AND DEMAND DATA STATISTICS
|
Walnuts , Ins hell Bas is EU-28 |
2015 | 2016 | 2017 | ||||
| 2015/2016 | 2016/2017 | 2017/2018 | |||||
| Market Year Begin: Aug 2015 | Market Year Begin: Aug 2016 | Market Year Begin: Aug 2017 | |||||
| USDA Official |
New Pos t |
USDA Official |
New Pos t |
USDA Official |
New Pos t |
||
| Area Planted | 0 | 54,924 | 0 | 58,083 | 0 | 58,763 | (HA) |
| Area Harves ted | 0 | 46,857 | 0 | 46,290 | 0 | 46,970 | (HA) |
| Bearing Trees | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | (1000 TREES) |
| Non-Bearing Trees | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | (1000 TREES) |
| Total Trees | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | (1000 TREES) |
| Beginning Stocks | 35,000 | 40,000 | 40,000 | 40,000 | 0 | 40,000 | (MT) |
| Production | 116,000 | 117,928 | 113,000 | 116,670 | 0 | 116,140 | (MT) |
| Imports | 214,000 | 182,006 | 220,000 | 203,638 | 0 | 210,000 | (MT) |
| Total Supply | 365,000 | 339,934 | 373,000 | 360,308 | 0 | 366,140 | (MT) |
| Exports | 18,300 | 16,509 | 12,000 | 18,256 | 0 | 17,000 | (MT) |
| Domes tic
Cons umption |
306,700 |
283,425 |
321,000 |
302,052 |
0 |
309,140 |
(MT) |
| Ending Stocks | 40,000 | 40,000 | 40,000 | 40,000 | 0 | 40,000 | (MT) |
| Total Dis tribution | 365,000 | 339,934 | 373,000 | 360,308 | 0 | 366,140 | (MT) |
Source: FAS Europe Offices
Sourse: https://www.fas.usda.gov/data/eu-28-tree-nuts-annual-4