Massive Surge in US Walnut Exports

02-Jun-2026 05:47 PM

Los Angeles: The latest shipment report from the California Walnut Board indicates a robust increase in the export of in-shell walnuts during April, with strong interest shown by major buyer nations, including China. However, the outlook for export performance during the 2026-27 season is unlikely to be particularly encouraging. Close monitoring of the Chinese market will be necessary. These walnuts are also imported into India.

According to the Board's statistics, California exported only 4.3 million pounds of walnuts in April 2025; this figure surged more than fivefold in April 2026, reaching 23.7 million pounds. Similarly, within the US domestic market, approximately 2.9 million pounds of walnuts were shipped from California in April—more than double the 1.3 million pounds dispatched in April 2025. Consequently, a total of 26.6 million pounds of walnuts were shipped from California to both domestic and international destinations in April—more than five times the 5.6 million pounds shipped in April 2025.

Compared to the previous year, total walnut shipments from California more than doubled during the current marketing season. Sales within the domestic market witnessed a 48 percent increase. Turkey remained the leading buyer, with US walnut exports to the country growing nearly fivefold.

Additionally, several nations across the Middle East and Africa imported significant quantities of US walnuts. These include Iraq, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Algeria, Morocco, and Lebanon, among others. Across this entire region, walnut exports surged more than fivefold—rising from 34.7 million pounds in 2025 to reach 172.9 million pounds.

Compared to the 2024–25 season, California's walnut exports during the 2025–26 season increased significantly to countries such as Turkey, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Lebanon, Morocco, Iraq, and Vietnam, but declined in India and Spain. The situation remained favorable in other countries.