From China's commanding orchards to California's expanding groves, walnuts are quietly conquering global palates and markets, with production climbing to 3.5 million metric tons and consumption reaching new heights driven by surging health-conscious demand.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022/23, global walnut production reached 3.5 million metric tons, a 2% increase from the previous year driven by higher yields in China and the US.
- California produced 727,000 short tons of walnuts in the 2022 crop year, representing 99% of US production.
- China's walnut production in 2022 was approximately 1.5 million metric tons, accounting for 43% of global output.
- US per capita walnut consumption reached 0.62 pounds in 2022.
- China consumed 1.2 million metric tons of walnuts in 2022, 70% in-shell.
- EU walnut kernel consumption was 120,000 tons in 2022, up 4%.
- Global walnut exports reached 1.1 million metric tons in 2022.
- US exported 498,000 metric tons of walnut kernels in 2022/23.
- China's walnut imports surged to 95,000 tons in 2022.
- Global walnut market size valued at $6.2 billion in 2022.
- California walnut industry contributed $2.5 billion to state economy in 2022.
- US walnut farm cash receipts were $1.6 billion in 2022.
- Walnuts provide 654 kcal per 100g, with 65g fat including 47g polyunsaturated.
- One ounce (28g) of walnuts contains 185 calories and 18g healthy fats.
- Walnuts are the highest source of omega-3 ALA among tree nuts at 2.5g per ounce.
Global walnut production rose to 3.5 million tons in 2022, led by China and California.
Consumption Statistics
- US per capita walnut consumption reached 0.62 pounds in 2022.
- China consumed 1.2 million metric tons of walnuts in 2022, 70% in-shell.
- EU walnut kernel consumption was 120,000 tons in 2022, up 4%.
- India's walnut consumption grew 8% to 25,000 tons in 2022.
- Turkey's domestic walnut consumption was 250,000 tons in 2022.
- Global walnut consumption reached 3.4 million tons in 2022/23.
- US walnut disappearance (consumption + exports) was 1.05 million tons in 2022/23.
- Germany's walnut imports for consumption hit 45,000 tons in 2022.
- Japan's walnut kernel consumption was 15,000 tons in 2022.
- Vietnam's walnut consumption surged 15% to 12,000 tons in 2022.
- UK per capita walnut consumption was 0.15 kg in 2022.
- China’s urban walnut consumption per capita rose to 1.2 kg in 2022.
- Global shelled walnut consumption grew 5% to 1.2 million tons in 2022.
- Iran's domestic walnut use was 400,000 tons in 2022.
- Australia consumed 6,500 tons of walnuts in 2022.
- Spain's walnut consumption reached 25,000 tons in 2022.
- US retail walnut sales increased 7% to $1.2 billion in 2022.
- Middle East walnut consumption totaled 150,000 tons in 2022, led by UAE.
- France consumed 20,000 tons of walnuts in 2022.
- Southeast Asia walnut demand grew 12% to 50,000 tons in 2022.
- Italy's per capita walnut consumption was 0.4 kg in 2022.
- Global walnut consumption CAGR 2018-2022 was 3.8%.
- Canada's walnut consumption was 12,000 tons in 2022.
- South Korea imported 18,000 tons for consumption in 2022.
- Brazil's walnut consumption hit 8,000 tons in 2022.
- Netherlands consumed 30,000 tons of walnut kernels in 2022.
- Russia walnut consumption was 40,000 tons in 2022.
- US walnut snack consumption grew 10% to 200 million pounds in 2022.
- China in-shell walnut consumption dominated 80% of total intake in 2022.
- EU-27 walnut consumption per capita averaged 0.25 kg in 2022.
Consumption Statistics Interpretation
The data clearly shows that while Americans nibble walnuts by the modest spoonful, the world is cracking into them by the mountainous ton, proving that global appetite, not just health trends, is driving this nutty revolution.
Economic Statistics
- Global walnut market size valued at $6.2 billion in 2022.
- California walnut industry contributed $2.5 billion to state economy in 2022.
- US walnut farm cash receipts were $1.6 billion in 2022.
- Average US walnut grower price was $1,950 per ton in 2022/23.
- Global walnut retail price averaged $8.50/kg in 2022.
- China's walnut processing industry employed 5 million people in 2022.
- Walnut futures prices on Dalian exchange peaked at 28,000 CNY/ton in 2022.
- EU walnut market revenue reached €1.2 billion in 2022.
- Turkey walnut export revenue was $250 million in 2022.
- Chile's walnut industry generated $800 million in exports in 2022.
- US walnut processing employment: 20,000 jobs in 2022.
- Global walnut wholesale price for kernels: $4.20/lb in 2022.
- India's walnut market size $150 million in 2022.
- Average grower price in California: $0.95/lb for kernels in 2022.
- Vietnam walnut import value $300 million in 2022.
- Walnut market projected to grow at 5.3% CAGR to 2030.
- Iran's walnut export earnings $200 million in 2022.
- US walnut crop insurance payouts $50 million in 2022.
- Global nut industry (incl. walnuts) $50 billion, walnuts 12% share.
- California walnut acreage value $10 billion in 2022.
- Average export price US walnuts $4,200/ton in 2022.
- UK walnut retail market £200 million in 2022.
- Walnut shelling costs averaged $0.15/lb in US 2022.
- China walnut retail price 60 CNY/kg in 2022.
- EU organic walnut premium 20% over conventional in 2022.
- Global walnut supply chain costs 15% of retail price.
- US walnut industry multiplier effect 2.5x on economy.
Economic Statistics Interpretation
With a global market cracking past six billion dollars and a surprisingly hefty nut anchoring entire economies, the humble walnut is a deceptively powerful player, reminding us that serious money often grows on trees.
Nutritional and Health Statistics
- Walnuts provide 654 kcal per 100g, with 65g fat including 47g polyunsaturated.
- One ounce (28g) of walnuts contains 185 calories and 18g healthy fats.
- Walnuts are the highest source of omega-3 ALA among tree nuts at 2.5g per ounce.
- 100g walnuts deliver 22g protein and 7g fiber.
- Walnuts contain 4mg ellagic acid per ounce, a potent antioxidant.
- Daily 42g walnut intake reduced LDL cholesterol by 10% in meta-analysis.
- Walnuts have a polyphenol content of 1,565 mg/100g GAE.
- One serving walnuts provides 100% DV manganese and 48% copper.
- Walnut consumption linked to 30% lower cardiovascular risk in studies.
- Walnuts contain melatonin at 3.5 ng/g, aiding sleep.
- 30g walnuts daily improved gut microbiota diversity by 20%.
- Walnuts have ORAC antioxidant score of 13,541 per 100g.
- Phytosterols in walnuts: 72mg per ounce, reducing cholesterol absorption.
- Walnut skins provide 90% of total phenols, 20mg/g.
- Regular walnut eaters had 15% better cognitive function in trials.
- Walnuts glycemic index 15, ideal for diabetes management.
- 1oz walnuts meets 10% DV vitamin B6 and 11% folate.
- Walnut oil has 60% linoleic acid (omega-6).
- Meta-analysis: walnuts lower blood pressure by 2.3 mmHg systolic.
- Walnuts richest nut in arginine at 2.3g per ounce.
- Daily walnuts reduced inflammation marker CRP by 25%.
- Walnuts provide 160mg magnesium per 100g, 38% DV.
- Walnut juglone compound has antibacterial properties.
- 42g walnuts daily aided weight loss by increasing satiety hormones.
- Walnuts highest in vitamin E gamma-tocopherol at 20.8 mg/100g.
- Studies show walnuts improve endothelial function by 15%.
- Phosphorus in walnuts: 346mg/100g, 49% DV.
- Walnut consumption associated with 20% reduced type 2 diabetes risk.
- L-arginine in walnuts supports nitric oxide production for vascular health.
Nutritional and Health Statistics Interpretation
If you're looking for a single food that's a relentless overachiever, the humble walnut seems to have made it its life's mission to single-handedly improve your heart, brain, gut, and sleep while quietly lowering your cholesterol and blood pressure, all while being deliciously high in calories that are ironically part of the reason it helps you lose weight.
Production Statistics
- In 2022/23, global walnut production reached 3.5 million metric tons, a 2% increase from the previous year driven by higher yields in China and the US.
- California produced 727,000 short tons of walnuts in the 2022 crop year, representing 99% of US production.
- China's walnut production in 2022 was approximately 1.5 million metric tons, accounting for 43% of global output.
- Turkey harvested 315,000 metric tons of walnuts in 2022, up 5% due to favorable weather.
- US walnut orchards covered 1.02 million bearing acres in 2022, yielding an average of 1.42 tons per acre.
- In 2021/22, world walnut kernel production hit 1.1 million metric tons after shell removal.
- Chile's walnut production reached 205,000 metric tons in 2022/23, a record high.
- Iran's walnut output was 450,000 metric tons in 2022, despite drought challenges.
- Ukraine produced 85,000 metric tons of walnuts in 2022, down 10% from war impacts.
- India's walnut production stood at 17,500 metric tons in 2022, limited by Himalayan regions.
- In 2022, global walnut production per capita was about 0.43 kg, led by Turkey at 3.7 kg.
- California walnut yields averaged 1.85 tons per acre in 2023 early estimates.
- Over 50 walnut varieties are grown commercially worldwide, with Chandler being the top in California at 53% of acreage.
- New Zealand's walnut production was 4,500 metric tons in 2022, focusing on premium kernels.
- Mexico produced 48,000 metric tons of walnuts in 2022, expanding in Chihuahua region.
- France's walnut harvest in 2022 was 51,000 metric tons, up 15%.
- Global walnut tree plantings increased by 10% from 2018-2022 to 5.2 million hectares.
- US non-bearing walnut acres were 102,000 in 2022, indicating future expansion.
- China's Sichuan province produced 500,000 tons of walnuts in 2022, 33% of national total.
- Portugal's walnut production reached 25,000 metric tons in 2022.
- In 2022, the top 10 walnut producing countries accounted for 94% of global production.
- California's 2021/22 walnut crop was 640,000 tons, down 12% due to rain damage.
- World walnut production grew at a CAGR of 3.2% from 2018-2022.
- Romania produced 20,000 metric tons of walnuts in 2022.
- Australia's walnut output was 7,200 metric tons in 2022.
- Kyrgyzstan harvested 120,000 metric tons in 2022.
- In 2023 forecast, global production to hit 3.7 million tons.
- Italy's walnut production was 40,000 tons in 2022.
- US walnut production value at farm gate was $1.4 billion in 2022.
- Global per capita walnut production increased 1.5% to 430g in 2022.
Production Statistics Interpretation
Despite China's firm grip on nearly half the global walnut throne and California's near-monopoly stateside, this is a story of many determined contenders—from Turkey's personal stash of 3.7 kg per citizen to Chile's record harvest and Iran's resilience against drought—all vying for a bigger piece of an ever-expanding, yet temperamental, pie.
Trade Statistics
- Global walnut exports reached 1.1 million metric tons in 2022.
- US exported 498,000 metric tons of walnut kernels in 2022/23.
- China's walnut imports surged to 95,000 tons in 2022.
- Turkey exported 65,000 tons of walnuts in 2022.
- EU imported 250,000 tons of shelled walnuts in 2022.
- Vietnam imported 55,000 tons of walnuts in 2022, up 20%.
- US walnut export value hit $2.1 billion in 2022.
- Chile exported 180,000 tons of walnuts in 2022/23.
- India's walnut imports reached 22,000 tons in 2022.
- Top walnut exporting countries in 2022: US 48%, Chile 17%, Turkey 6%.
- UAE imported 40,000 tons of walnuts in 2022.
- Germany's walnut imports totaled 50,000 tons in 2022.
- Japan walnut imports were 20,000 tons in 2022.
- Netherlands re-exported 100,000 tons of walnuts in 2022.
- South Korea's walnut imports grew to 25,000 tons in 2022.
- Global walnut trade value exceeded $4.5 billion in 2022.
- Iran's walnut exports were 50,000 tons in 2022.
- Australia's walnut exports reached 5,000 tons in 2022.
- Spain imported 15,000 tons of walnuts for re-export in 2022.
- Canada imported 15,000 tons of US walnuts in 2022.
- Brazil walnut imports were 10,000 tons in 2022.
- Russia imported 35,000 tons despite sanctions in 2022.
- Top destination for US walnuts: EU 35%, Asia 40% in 2022.
- Global walnut tariff average was 5.2% in 2022.
- Mexico exported 20,000 tons of walnuts to US in 2022.
- France imported 18,000 tons of walnuts in 2022.
- Italy walnut exports were 12,000 tons in 2022.
- World walnut export growth CAGR 2018-2022: 4.1%.
Trade Statistics Interpretation
The global walnut trade, now a $4.5 billion juggernaut, hinges on America cracking the market wide open while China and the EU eagerly shell out for a share of the spoils.
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