From California's almonds to Vietnam's cashews and Turkey's hazelnuts, the global nut industry is not only feeding our growing appetite for healthy snacks but also shaping economies, ecosystems, and dinner tables worldwide, as revealed by the staggering production, consumption, and market statistics of 2022.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, global almond production reached 3,046,080 metric tons, primarily led by the United States with 1,699,100 metric tons.
- The United States produced 2.5 billion pounds of almonds in the 2021/22 crop year, accounting for 80% of global supply.
- India's cashew production in 2021 was 751,000 metric tons, making it the second-largest producer after Vietnam.
- Global per capita nut consumption reached 2.5 kg in 2022, up from 1.8 kg in 2010.
- US almond consumption in 2022 was 1.8 billion pounds, 70% exported.
- China consumed 1.2 million MT of walnuts in 2022, mostly domestic.
- US exported 1.2 billion pounds of almonds in 2022/23.
- Vietnam exported 3.5 billion USD worth of cashews in 2022.
- Global walnut trade volume was 800,000 MT in 2022.
- Global nut market size valued at USD 68.6 billion in 2022.
- Almond market revenue reached USD 12.4 billion globally in 2022.
- Cashew market size was USD 7.9 billion in 2022, projected 5% CAGR.
- Sustainable nut farming investments USD 2 billion 2022.
- Almond industry water usage 10% of California's ag water in 2022.
- 80% of macadamias certified sustainable by 2022 via SAMAC.
A vast, growing global industry led by almonds, cashews, and walnuts.
Consumption
- Global per capita nut consumption reached 2.5 kg in 2022, up from 1.8 kg in 2010.
- US almond consumption in 2022 was 1.8 billion pounds, 70% exported.
- China consumed 1.2 million MT of walnuts in 2022, mostly domestic.
- Europe’s hazelnut consumption totaled 500,000 MT in 2022, led by Germany.
- India's cashew kernel consumption was 300,000 MT in 2022, growing 8% YoY.
- US pistachio in-shell consumption hit 500 million pounds in 2022.
- Brazil's peanut butter consumption equates to 200,000 MT annually as of 2022.
- Global snacking nut consumption grew 15% from 2018-2022 to 2 million MT.
- Vietnam consumed 150,000 MT of cashews in 2022, up 10%.
- EU per capita nut consumption was 3.2 kg in 2022, highest in Netherlands at 5 kg.
- US pecan consumption reached 300 million pounds in 2022, half shelled.
- China's almond consumption surged to 250,000 MT in 2022 from imports.
- Australia’s macadamia domestic consumption was 10,000 MT in 2022.
- Iran's pistachio domestic use was 100,000 MT in 2022, mostly fresh.
- Global peanut consumption for confectionery was 10 million MT in 2022.
- Turkey's hazelnut consumption hit 100,000 MT in 2022 for chocolate.
- India's peanut consumption totaled 9 million MT in 2022, mainly oil.
- US walnut consumption was 700,000 tons in 2022, record high.
- Europe consumed 800,000 MT of almonds in 2022, snacking dominant.
- Brazil consumed 150,000 MT Brazil nuts? No, cashews 400,000 MT in 2022.
- Japan’s nut consumption per capita 2.8 kg in 2022, almonds top.
- Mexico's pecan consumption 50,000 MT in 2022, growing confectionery.
- South Korea imported nuts consumption 200,000 MT in 2022.
- UK nut consumption up 20% to 250,000 MT in 2022 post-pandemic.
- Germany's hazelnut consumption 120,000 MT in 2022 for confectionery.
- Canada's almond consumption 100,000 MT in 2022, mostly imported.
- Russia's walnut consumption 50,000 MT in 2022 from imports.
- UAE nut consumption per capita 4 kg in 2022, luxury segment.
- France's pistachio consumption 20,000 MT in 2022, ice cream key.
- Thailand cashew consumption 80,000 MT in 2022.
- US peanut consumption for snacks 1.5 billion lbs in 2022.
- China macadamia consumption 30,000 MT in 2022, premium growth.
- Italy almond consumption 50,000 MT in 2022, gelato/snacks.
- Global cashew consumption reached 1 million MT kernels in 2022.
Consumption Interpretation
While the world may be cracking under pressure, it is increasingly cracking nuts, with our global snack-time allegiance shifting from predictable peanuts to a sprawling, status-conscious empire of almonds, cashews, and pistachios that maps new trade routes and dietary ambitions onto every continent.
Market Value
- Global nut market size valued at USD 68.6 billion in 2022.
- Almond market revenue reached USD 12.4 billion globally in 2022.
- Cashew market size was USD 7.9 billion in 2022, projected 5% CAGR.
- Hazelnut market valued at USD 6.2 billion in 2022.
- Walnut market size USD 5.8 billion in 2022, China dominant.
- Pistachio market revenue USD 5.1 billion in 2022.
- Peanut market valued at USD 40 billion in 2022 for oil/snacks.
- Pecan market size USD 6.5 billion in 2022.
- Macadamia market USD 1.2 billion in 2022, premium segment.
- Brazil nut market USD 150 million in 2022, niche luxury.
- US nut industry generated USD 10 billion farm value in 2022.
- Organic nuts market USD 8.5 billion globally 2022.
- Snack nuts market USD 25 billion in 2022, CAGR 6%.
- Nut butter market USD 5.2 billion in 2022, peanut lead.
- Confectionery nuts USD 15 billion 2022.
- Almond milk market USD 3.5 billion 2022, nut derived.
- Global tree nut market USD 50 billion 2022.
- US retail nut sales USD 6 billion 2022.
- China nut import market USD 4 billion 2022.
- EU nut market value EUR 20 billion 2022.
- India cashew processing market USD 2 billion 2022.
- Premium nut segment grew to USD 10 billion 2022.
- Roasted nuts market USD 12 billion 2022.
- Flavored nuts USD 4 billion 2022 CAGR 7%.
- Nut oil market USD 8 billion 2022.
- Online nut sales USD 3 billion global 2022.
- US almond processor revenue USD 8 billion 2022.
- Hazelnut paste market USD 1 billion 2022 for spreads.
- Pistachio paste market USD 500 million 2022.
- Global nut allergy market impact USD 25 billion losses 2022.
Market Value Interpretation
For a planet obsessed with wellness, we seem to have built a remarkably robust $68.6 billion global economy on the serious business of snacks, spreads, and the constant, crunchy pursuit of happiness.
Production
- In 2022, global almond production reached 3,046,080 metric tons, primarily led by the United States with 1,699,100 metric tons.
- The United States produced 2.5 billion pounds of almonds in the 2021/22 crop year, accounting for 80% of global supply.
- India's cashew production in 2021 was 751,000 metric tons, making it the second-largest producer after Vietnam.
- Brazil's Brazil nut production in 2022 totaled 38,000 metric tons from the Amazon rainforest regions.
- China produced 1,800,000 metric tons of walnuts in 2022, dominating 50% of world output.
- Turkey's hazelnut production hit 690,000 metric tons in 2022, supplying 70% of global demand.
- Australia's macadamia production reached 54,000 metric tons in 2022, valued at AUD 500 million.
- Vietnam led cashew production with 1,959,000 metric tons in 2021/22 season.
- Global pistachio production was 1,123,000 metric tons in 2022, with Iran at 530,000 MT.
- California's pecan production, though minor, reached 4,500 tons in 2022 amid drought challenges.
- World peanut production in 2022/23 was 49.8 million metric tons, led by China at 17.5 million MT.
- Côte d'Ivoire produced 1,200,000 metric tons of cashews in 2022, focusing on raw nuts export.
- Spain's almond acreage expanded to 700,000 hectares by 2022, yielding 385,000 MT.
- Global walnut production grew 5% to 3.6 million MT in 2022, driven by Chile's increase.
- Iran's pistachio yield per hectare averaged 2.5 MT in 2022, highest globally.
- US pecan production in 2022 was 273 million pounds, up 24% from prior year.
- Nigeria's groundnut production reached 3.5 million MT in 2022, despite aflatoxin issues.
- Australia's pistachio production surged to 45,000 MT in 2022 from new orchards.
- Global macadamia production was 220,000 MT in 2022, with South Africa at 70,000 MT.
- Turkey's pistachio output was 320,000 MT in 2022, second to Iran.
- China's chestnut production hit 2 million MT in 2022, leading the world.
- Peru's Brazil nut harvest in 2022 was 40,500 MT, sustainable certified.
- Global almond yield in California averaged 2,200 lbs/acre in 2022.
- Vietnam's cashew yield improved to 1.2 MT/ha in 2022 with better varieties.
- US peanut production in 2022/23 was 5.8 billion pounds, yield 4,500 lbs/acre.
- Hazelnut production in Italy reached 140,000 MT in 2022 from 90,000 ha.
- Bolivia's Brazil nut production was 25,000 MT in 2022, down due to logging.
- Global pine nut production estimated at 35,000 MT in 2022, mostly wild.
- South Africa's macadamia yield per hectare was 4.5 MT in 2022.
- Greece's walnut production was 25,000 MT in 2022, focusing on organic.
Production Interpretation
In a nutshell, the global stage is a fiercely competitive snack bowl where nations wield monocultural dominance—from America's thirsty almond empire and China's walnut monopoly to Turkey's hazelnut hegemony—each betting their farms on a single, crunchy commodity.
Sustainability
- Sustainable nut farming investments USD 2 billion 2022.
- Almond industry water usage 10% of California's ag water in 2022.
- 80% of macadamias certified sustainable by 2022 via SAMAC.
- Cashew shell waste repurposed into 500,000 MT CNSL oil 2022.
- Hazelnut orchards 50% Rainforest Alliance certified by 2022.
- US walnut carbon footprint reduced 20% since 2010 to 2022.
- Pistachio shells used for 1 million tons livestock bedding 2022.
- 70% Brazil nuts from certified forests in 2022.
- Peanut crop rotation improves soil health on 90% US farms 2022.
- Pecan agroforestry systems cover 60% Mexican production 2022.
- Global nut industry recycled 2 million tons packaging 2022.
- Almond bee health programs supported 75% hives in 2022.
- Cashew farmer training reached 1 million in Africa 2022.
- Walnut water efficiency 90% drip irrigated in Chile 2022.
- Macadamia regenerative ag 30% orchards by 2022.
- Hazelnut soil carbon sequestration 5 tons/ha/year avg 2022.
- Pistachio desert farming reclaims 100,000 ha Iran 2022.
- Organic nut acreage grew 15% to 500,000 ha global 2022.
- Nut industry biodiversity programs planted 10 million trees 2022.
- Peanut aflatoxin controls reduced rejects 40% exports 2022.
- Almond solar power covers 25% processing energy 2022 CA.
- Cashew women farmers 40% workforce certified fair trade 2022.
- Global nut water footprint averaged 9,000 liters/kg 2022.
- Pecan IPM reduced pesticides 50% US 2022.
- Brazil nut community forests manage 1 million ha 2022.
- Walnut packaging 80% recyclable by 2022 standards.
- Macadamia waste to biogas 20% farms South Africa 2022.
Sustainability Interpretation
The global nut industry in 2022, while commendably investing billions in sustainability and recycling millions of tons of packaging, must still grapple with its enormous water footprint, particularly the almond sector, which consumed a staggering 10% of California's agricultural water.
Trade
- US exported 1.2 billion pounds of almonds in 2022/23.
- Vietnam exported 3.5 billion USD worth of cashews in 2022.
- Global walnut trade volume was 800,000 MT in 2022.
- Turkey exported 500,000 MT hazelnuts worth 2.5 billion EUR in 2022.
- Iran pistachio exports reached 200,000 MT in 2022 despite sanctions.
- US pecan exports hit 140 million pounds in 2022.
- China imported 1 million MT nuts in 2022, 40% almonds.
- Australia's macadamia exports 80% of production, 40,000 MT in 2022.
- Côte d'Ivoire cashew exports 1.4 million MT raw in 2022.
- EU imported 1.2 million MT nuts in 2022, tariff quota key.
- Netherlands re-exported 600,000 MT nuts as hub in 2022.
- India's cashew imports 700,000 MT raw for processing in 2022.
- Spain exported 250,000 MT almonds in 2022 to EU/US.
- Global peanut trade 5 million MT in 2022, Argentina key.
- Chile walnut exports 250,000 MT in 2022 to Asia.
- US shelled almond exports to India 200 million lbs 2022.
- Vietnam cashew kernel exports 350,000 MT in 2022.
- Turkey hazelnut exports to Germany 150,000 MT in 2022.
- Iran pistachio to Hong Kong 100,000 MT re-export 2022.
- Brazil peanut exports 500,000 MT in 2022 to EU.
- South Africa macadamia exports to China 20,000 MT 2022.
- US pecan exports to China 50 million lbs 2022.
- EU pistachio imports from US 50,000 MT 2022.
- India's walnut imports 100,000 MT from Chile/US 2022.
- Global Brazil nut trade 50,000 MT, Peru/Bolivia 90% 2022.
- Netherlands almond imports 400,000 MT 2022.
- China's pistachio imports 120,000 MT 2022 from Iran/US.
- Australia pistachio exports started 10,000 MT 2022.
- Mexico pecan exports to US 30,000 MT 2022.
- Russia nut imports 200,000 MT despite sanctions 2022.
- UAE re-exports nuts 100,000 MT 2022 hub.
- Japan almond imports 150,000 MT 2022 from US.
- UK cashew imports 100,000 MT 2022.
Trade Interpretation
The global nut trade is a staggering, multi-billion-dollar shell game where power blocs maneuver tons of protein, nations defy sanctions with snacks, and whole economies hinge on whether we prefer our almonds salted, our cashews roasted, or our pistachios opened.
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