While the world munched through record-breaking numbers—with the United States alone producing enough almonds in 2022 to account for a staggering 80% of the global supply—the tree nut industry's journey from sun-drenched orchards to kitchen pantries revealed a complex, multi-billion dollar story of growth, sustainability, and shifting global appetites.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the United States produced 2.6 billion pounds of almonds, representing approximately 80% of the global almond supply.
- California's almond acreage harvested reached 1.39 million acres in 2022, up 2% from the previous year.
- Global walnut production totaled 3.5 million metric tons in 2021/22, with China leading at 1.5 million metric tons.
- In 2022, US per capita consumption of tree nuts reached 3.5 pounds, up 5% from 2021.
- Almonds accounted for 42% of total US tree nut consumption in 2022 at 1.9 pounds per capita.
- Pistachios saw US consumption rise to 1.1 pounds per capita in 2022, driven by snacking trends.
- In 2022, US exported 2.05 billion pounds of almonds worth $4.8 billion.
- India imported 140,000 metric tons of US almonds in 2022/23, largest market.
- US walnut exports reached 350,000 tons valued at $1.6 billion in 2022.
- Tree nut industry generated $12 billion farm gate value in US in 2022.
- California almond industry contributed $26 billion to state economy in 2022.
- US pistachio industry farm value reached $2.5 billion in 2022.
- In 2022, 75% of California almonds were sustainably certified under ABC program.
- US pistachio industry recycled 90% of orchard biomass for energy in 2022.
- Walnut orchard water efficiency improved 20% since 2010 to 2.5 acre-feet/acre in 2022.
The global tree nut industry is thriving, led by robust U.S. production and rising worldwide consumption.
Consumption
- In 2022, US per capita consumption of tree nuts reached 3.5 pounds, up 5% from 2021.
- Almonds accounted for 42% of total US tree nut consumption in 2022 at 1.9 pounds per capita.
- Pistachios saw US consumption rise to 1.1 pounds per capita in 2022, driven by snacking trends.
- Walnuts led in-home consumption at 0.8 pounds per capita in the US for 2022.
- Pecans had a per capita consumption of 0.4 pounds in the US in 2022, popular in baking.
- Cashews reached 0.6 pounds per capita consumption in the US market in 2022.
- EU-27 tree nut consumption grew to 7.5 kg per capita annually by 2022.
- India consumed 150,000 metric tons of cashew kernels in 2022, 40% of domestic production.
- China's tree nut consumption hit 2.5 kg per capita in 2022, led by peanuts but including tree nuts.
- Brazil's macadamia consumption domestically was 10,000 MT in 2022, growing at 15% CAGR.
- US snacking segment for tree nuts reached 1.2 billion pounds in 2022, 35% of total.
- Hazelnuts saw European consumption at 1.2 kg per capita in 2022, driven by chocolate industry.
- Japan's almond consumption totaled 80,000 metric tons in 2022, mostly imported.
- US millennials consumed 50% more tree nuts than baby boomers in 2022 surveys.
- Organic tree nut consumption in the US grew 12% YoY to 500 million pounds in 2022.
- India’s per capita tree nut consumption was 0.5 kg in 2022, projected to double by 2030.
- Germany's walnut consumption increased 8% to 25,000 MT in 2022.
- US at-home tree nut disappearance was 2.8 pounds per capita in 2022.
- Pistachio consumption in India reached 15,000 MT in 2022, premium segment growth.
- Australia consumed 20% of its macadamia production domestically in 2022 at 10,800 MT.
- US away-from-home tree nut use hit 0.7 pounds per capita in 2022.
- Vietnam's cashew kernel consumption was 50,000 MT in 2022 for local food industry.
- France's almond consumption grew to 1.5 kg per capita in 2022, in dairy alternatives.
- Brazil nut consumption in Europe totaled 5,000 MT in 2022, niche health market.
- US children's tree nut consumption averaged 1.2 pounds per capita under 18 in 2022.
- Tree nut consumption in confectionery worldwide was 1.2 million MT in 2022.
Consumption Interpretation
While Americans continue to crack into tree nuts at a record pace, driven largely by almonds in our pockets and walnuts in our pantries, the global appetite is also swelling, proving that from snack bags in the U.S. to chocolate in Europe, we're all increasingly nuts for nuts.
Economics
- Tree nut industry generated $12 billion farm gate value in US in 2022.
- California almond industry contributed $26 billion to state economy in 2022.
- US pistachio industry farm value reached $2.5 billion in 2022.
- Walnut growers in US earned $1.2 billion from 700,000 tons in 2022.
- Pecan industry supported 15,000 jobs in US with $1.5 billion value in 2022.
- Global tree nut market size was $50 billion in 2022, projected to $75B by 2030.
- US tree nut processing employment was 40,000 full-time equivalents in 2022.
- Almond export value added $5 billion to US trade balance in 2022.
- Cashew processing in Vietnam generated $4.5 billion revenue in 2022.
- Hazelnut industry in Turkey supported 500,000 livelihoods with $2B exports in 2022.
- Australian macadamia industry worth AUD 2.5 billion in 2022/23.
- US retail value of tree nuts exceeded $10 billion in 2022.
- Chile's walnut sector contributed $1 billion to exports in 2022.
- Organic tree nut market in US valued at $3 billion in 2022, 20% growth.
- Pistachio farm prices averaged $2.50/lb in US 2022 harvest.
- Almond grower returns in California were $3,500 per acre in 2022.
- Global cashew kernel prices averaged $3.20/lb in 2022.
- US pecan prices reached $2.80/lb improved variety in 2022.
- Tree nut R&D investment by US industry was $100 million in 2022.
- Walnut processing plants in US generated $800 million value-added in 2022.
- South Africa macadamia economic impact $1.2 billion GDP contribution in 2022.
- Tree nut industry paid $2 billion in farm wages in US 2022.
- Iran's pistachio export revenue $1.9 billion in 2022/23 season.
Economics Interpretation
From almonds bankrolling California to cashews financing Vietnam, the global tree nut industry is a surprisingly serious business, shelling out billions in revenue, supporting millions of jobs, and proving that cracking a few nuts can build entire economies.
Exports
- In 2022, US exported 2.05 billion pounds of almonds worth $4.8 billion.
- India imported 140,000 metric tons of US almonds in 2022/23, largest market.
- US walnut exports reached 350,000 tons valued at $1.6 billion in 2022.
- EU imported 550,000 MT of tree nuts in 2022, 40% from US almonds.
- US pistachio exports hit 500 million pounds in 2022, to 70 countries.
- China imported 300,000 MT of walnuts globally in 2022, 60% from Chile/US.
- Vietnam exported 650,000 MT of cashew kernels worth $4.2 billion in 2022.
- Turkey exported 150,000 MT of hazelnuts in 2022 to EU chocolate makers.
- Australia macadamia exports totaled 45,000 MT valued at $400 million in 2022/23.
- US pecan exports grew 15% to 120 million pounds worth $600 million in 2022.
- UAE imported 50,000 MT of pistachios from US in 2022, re-export hub.
- Chile walnut exports to China were 100,000 MT in 2022, 70% of total.
- India cashew imports reached 1 million MT in 2022, mostly shelled from Africa.
- EU almond imports from US were 400,000 MT in 2022, down 10% due to freight costs.
- Mexico imported 80,000 MT of US pecans in 2022 for processing.
- South Africa exported 60,000 MT macadamias in 2022/23, mainly to US/EU.
- Iran's pistachio exports totaled 200,000 MT worth $1.8 billion in 2022/23.
- US tree nut exports overall reached $8.5 billion in 2022, 60% almonds.
- Japan imported 90,000 MT almonds from US in 2022.
- Netherlands re-exported 300,000 MT tree nuts in 2022 as EU hub.
- Peru Brazil nut exports were 35,000 MT in 2022 to EU/US.
- Canada imported 150,000 MT tree nuts from US in 2022, mostly almonds.
- Germany's hazelnut imports from Turkey hit 100,000 MT in 2022.
Exports Interpretation
The world’s tree nut trade reveals a strategic, and deliciously complex, network where almonds dominate America's cash crop, Vietnam corners the cashew market, Turkey sweetens Europe’s chocolate, and everyone from India to the UAE is vying for a profitable piece of the nutty global puzzle.
Production
- In 2022, the United States produced 2.6 billion pounds of almonds, representing approximately 80% of the global almond supply.
- California's almond acreage harvested reached 1.39 million acres in 2022, up 2% from the previous year.
- Global walnut production totaled 3.5 million metric tons in 2021/22, with China leading at 1.5 million metric tons.
- US pistachio production hit a record 1.1 billion pounds in 2022, primarily from California's San Joaquin Valley.
- Pecan production in the US reached 285 million pounds in 2022, with Georgia contributing 25% of the total.
- Brazil produced 250,000 metric tons of Brazil nuts in 2022, mainly from the Amazon rainforest regions.
- Australian macadamia nut production was 54,000 metric tons in 2022/23, valued at AUD 500 million.
- India's cashew nut production (with shell) was 837,000 metric tons in 2021/22, mostly from Kerala and Maharashtra.
- Turkey's hazelnut production amounted to 690,000 metric tons in 2022, accounting for 70% of global supply.
- Vietnam produced 380,000 metric tons of cashew nuts in 2022, focusing on processed kernels.
- Spain's almond production was 240,000 metric tons in 2022/23, second to the US globally.
- US pecan bearing acreage expanded to 145 million trees in 2022, yielding average 1,450 pounds per acre.
- Iran's pistachio production reached 290,000 metric tons in 2022/23, despite water challenges.
- Chile exported 140,000 metric tons of walnuts in 2022, from a production of 170,000 MT.
- Global almond yield per hectare averaged 2.5 metric tons in 2022, with US at 3.2 tons/ha.
- Mexico's pecan production surged to 130,000 metric tons in 2022, rivaling US output.
- South Africa's macadamia production hit 70,000 metric tons in 2022/23 season.
- Italy produced 120,000 metric tons of hazelnuts in 2022, mainly from Campania region.
- Kenya's macadamia production was 45,000 metric tons in 2022, with 80% exported raw.
- US almond bloom period in 2023 saw 2.2 million hives, up 10% from 2022.
- Global cashew production reached 4.1 million metric tons in 2022/23, led by Ivory Coast at 1.2 million MT.
- California's pistachio orchards expanded to 450,000 acres by 2022.
- Argentina's walnut production was 190,000 metric tons in 2022, with high yields of 3 tons/ha.
- Nigeria produced 200,000 metric tons of cashews in 2022, primarily smallholder farms.
- US hazelnut production in Oregon totaled 35,000 tons in 2022.
- Peru's Brazil nut harvest yielded 40,000 metric tons in 2022 from 600,000 ha forest.
- Global tree nut production exceeded 5 million metric tons in 2022, up 5% YoY.
- Almond water usage in California averaged 3.2 acre-feet per acre in 2022.
- US walnut production reached 700,000 tons in 2022, centered in Tulare County.
- China's chestnut production was 2 million metric tons in 2021/22.
Production Interpretation
While California single-handedly dominates the global almond game, the tree nut industry is a remarkably balanced, thirsty, and globally coordinated ecosystem where, from the Amazon to Australia, each continent has staked its own lucrative, crunchy claim.
Sustainability
- In 2022, 75% of California almonds were sustainably certified under ABC program.
- US pistachio industry recycled 90% of orchard biomass for energy in 2022.
- Walnut orchard water efficiency improved 20% since 2010 to 2.5 acre-feet/acre in 2022.
- Pecan growers planted 1 million pollinator habitat acres by 2022.
- Global tree nut industry reduced carbon footprint by 15% per kg since 2015 to 2022.
- 85% of US almonds used drip irrigation in 2022, saving 30% water.
- Australian macadamias achieved 100% Rainforest Alliance certification by 2022.
- Cashew smallholders in Africa adopted 50% climate-resilient varieties by 2022.
- Turkey hazelnut orchards covered 700,000 ha with 40% organic by 2022.
- US tree nut hives for pollination increased biodiversity with 10M bees in 2022.
- Chile walnuts used 25% less water per ton via deficit irrigation in 2022.
- 60% of Brazil nuts harvested sustainably from natural forests in 2022.
- South Africa macadamia farms carbon neutral on 30% by 2022.
- Almond board funded $50M in water research reducing usage 33% since 2000 to 2022.
- Pistachio shells repurposed into 200,000 tons biofuel in US 2022.
- Pecan industry composted 100,000 tons orchard waste in 2022.
- EU tree nut imports 50% verified sustainable sourcing in 2022.
- Vietnam cashew processing zero-waste plants at 70% in 2022.
- Hazelnut supply chain reduced packaging 25% recyclable by 2022.
- US walnut industry planted 5,000 acres cover crops in 2022 for soil health.
- Global nut industry invested $200M in regenerative ag by 2022.
- 40% reduction in almond nitrogen fertilizer use per pound since 2010 to 2022.
- Macadamia farms in Kenya certified fair trade on 20% area in 2022.
- Tree nut packaging recycled rate 75% in US retail 2022.
- Iran's pistachio water saving 50% with modern systems by 2022.
Sustainability Interpretation
The global tree nut industry, in a deliciously clever plot twist, is quietly proving that eco-conscious farming isn't just a pipedream, as almonds guzzle less water, pistachio shells power our homes, and orchards become bustling biodiversity hubs.
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