Nuts Market

The global nuts market is projected to continue growing in both volume and value terms, with an expected CAGR of +3.2% for consumption and +2.4% for market value from 2022 to 2030. Key countries like India, China, and the United States lead in consumption and production, while cashew nuts dominate both imports and exports. Overall, the market shows fluctuations in trends but maintains an upward trajectory in terms of growth.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for nuts worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +3.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 28M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $127.8B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Nuts

In 2022, consumption of nuts decreased by -2% to 22M tons for the first time since 2011, thus ending a ten-year rising trend. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the consumption volume increased by 8.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global consumption reached the maximum volume at 22M tons in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

The global nuts market value expanded to $105.5B in 2022, surging by 4.8% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the global market hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were India (3.9M tons), China (3.3M tons) and the United States (3M tons), together comprising 46% of global consumption. Vietnam, Turkey, Iran, Spain, Nigeria and Bangladesh lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Vietnam (with a CAGR of +11.7%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($12.6B), China ($12.2B) and India ($8.8B) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, with a combined 32% share of the global market. Turkey, Vietnam, Iran, Spain, Bangladesh and Nigeria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 15%.

Vietnam, with a CAGR of +11.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of nuts per capita consumption in 2022 were Vietnam (21 kg per person), Turkey (16 kg per person) and Spain (12 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Vietnam (with a CAGR of +10.7%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Consumption By Type

The products with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were cashew nuts (6.1M tons), walnuts (4M tons) and nuts, nes (3.8M tons), together accounting for 63% of global consumption.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for walnuts (with a CAGR of +5.2%), while consumption for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, nuts, nes ($17.8B), almonds ($15.5B) and walnuts ($10.4B) were the products with the highest levels of market value in 2022, with a combined 61% share of the global market. Cashew nuts, pistachios, chestnuts, hazelnuts and brazil nuts lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 39%.

Among the main consumed products, cashew nuts, with a CAGR of +6.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Nuts

In 2022, after eight years of growth, there was decline in production of nuts, when its volume decreased by -1.3% to 21M tons. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 9%. Over the period under review, global production reached the maximum volume at 22M tons in 2021, and then declined in the following year. The general positive trend in terms output was largely conditioned by a tangible expansion of the harvested area and a relatively flat trend pattern in yield figures.

In value terms, nuts production amounted to $66B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the production volume increased by 20% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $66.6B in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were the United States (3.7M tons), China (3.2M tons) and India (2.2M tons), with a combined 43% share of global production. Turkey, Cote d'Ivoire, Iran, Ghana, Nigeria, Spain, Indonesia, Vietnam, Tanzania and Bangladesh lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 31%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Spain (with a CAGR of +7.3%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production By Type

The products with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were cashew nuts (5.2M tons), walnuts (3.9M tons) and nuts, nes (3.9M tons), with a combined 61% share of global production.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for walnuts (with a CAGR of +4.9%), while production for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, nuts, nes ($18.4B), almonds ($16.1B) and pistachios ($10.2B) constituted the products with the highest levels of production in 2022, with a combined 65% share of global production.

In terms of the main produced products, nuts, nes, with a CAGR of +8.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of market size over the period under review, while production for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Yield

The global average nuts yield stood at 1.4 tons per ha in 2022, leveling off at the previous year. Overall, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 5.5%. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of 1.4 tons per ha; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Harvested Area

In 2022, the global harvested area of nuts contracted slightly to 15M ha, declining by -1.9% on the previous year's figure. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the harvested area increased by 8.1% against the previous year. The global harvested area peaked at 16M ha in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

Imports

World Imports of Nuts

In 2022, global nuts imports dropped to 4.9M tons, declining by -13.7% against 2021. In general, total imports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +84.8% against 2012 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 43% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of 5.6M tons, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, nuts imports fell significantly to $11.9B in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a tangible increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 29% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $15.4B, and then shrank rapidly in the following year.

Imports By Country

India (1.7M tons) and Vietnam (1.7M tons) dominates imports structure, together making up 70% of total imports. It was distantly followed by China (238K tons), making up a 4.9% share of total imports. Iran (138K tons), Turkey (110K tons), the United Arab Emirates (98K tons) and Italy (85K tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Iran (with a CAGR of +36.0%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, India ($3.3B), Vietnam ($2.5B) and China ($949M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 57% of global imports. Italy, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Iran lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 12%.

Iran, with a CAGR of +29.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports By Type

Cashew nuts dominates imports structure, finishing at 3.1M tons, which was approx. 63% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by nuts, nes (473K tons), walnuts (423K tons), almonds (413K tons) and pistachios (359K tons), together constituting a 34% share of total imports. Chestnuts (90K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Cashew nuts was also the fastest-growing in terms of imports, with a CAGR of +9.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, walnuts (+8.1%) and almonds (+2.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Chestnuts and pistachios experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, nuts, nes (-1.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of cashew nuts and walnuts increased by +19 and +1.7 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other products remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, cashew nuts ($4.3B), pistachios ($2.9B) and nuts, nes ($1.6B) were the products with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 74% share of global imports.

Cashew nuts, with a CAGR of +12.2%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main imported products over the period under review, while purchases for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Type

In 2022, the average nuts import price amounted to $2,442 per ton, falling by -10.5% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a mild descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 8.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $3,515 per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was pistachios ($8,085 per ton), while the price for cashew nuts ($1,391 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by cashew nut (+2.3%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average nuts import price stood at $2,442 per ton in 2022, which is down by -10.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a slight decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 an increase of 8.8% against the previous year. Global import price peaked at $3,515 per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($5,011 per ton), while Vietnam ($1,466 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+3.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Nuts

In 2022, the amount of nuts exported worldwide dropped to 4.1M tons, waning by -12.9% on 2021. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 16%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 4.7M tons, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, nuts exports contracted dramatically to $10.4B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at $13.1B in 2021, and then reduced rapidly in the following year.

Exports By Country

In 2022, Cote d'Ivoire (779K tons) and the United States (684K tons) were the main exporters of nutsin the world, together making up 36% of total exports. Ghana (452K tons) took an 11% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Tanzania (5.6%) and Indonesia (5.4%). The following exporters - Nigeria (172K tons), China (128K tons), Burkina Faso (118K tons), Senegal (105K tons), Guinea-Bissau (97K tons), Chile (94K tons), the United Arab Emirates (92K tons) and Australia (83K tons) - together made up 22% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Senegal (with a CAGR of +88.9%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($3.5B) remains the largest nuts supplier worldwide, comprising 34% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Cote d'Ivoire ($821M), with a 7.9% share of global exports. It was followed by Ghana, with a 5.1% share.

In the United States, nuts exports expanded at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Cote d'Ivoire (+9.5% per year) and Ghana (+13.1% per year).

Exports By Type

Cashew nuts was the key type of nuts in the world, with the volume of exports reaching 2.2M tons, which was near 54% of total exports in 2022. Nuts, nes (509K tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 13% share, followed by almonds (10%), walnuts (9.7%) and pistachios (9.4%). Chestnuts (92K tons) held a minor share of total exports.

Cashew nuts was also the fastest-growing in terms of exports, with a CAGR of +5.0% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, walnuts (+4.4%) and almonds (+1.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Chestnuts and pistachios experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, nuts, nes (-2.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of cashew nuts and walnuts increased by +12 and +1.6 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other products remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest types of exported nuts were pistachios ($3.1B), cashew nuts ($2.4B) and almonds ($1.6B), together comprising 70% of global exports.

Cashew nuts, with a CAGR of +4.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exported products over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Type

The average nuts export price stood at $2,534 per ton in 2022, which is down by -8.8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 12% against the previous year. The global export price peaked at $3,247 per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was pistachios ($8,104 per ton), while the average price for exports of cashew nuts ($1,094 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by pistachio (+2.1%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average nuts export price stood at $2,534 per ton in 2022, falling by -8.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $3,247 per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Australia ($5,150 per ton), while Nigeria ($939 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Burkina Faso (+6.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform