Tree Nut and Dried Fruit Productions add up to 5 million and 3.2 million metric tons, respectively 

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Tree Nut and Dried Fruit Productions add up to 5 million and 3.2 million metric tons, respectively 

The INC has released its latest Global Statistical Review with 2021/2022 production forecast updates on tree nuts, peanuts and dried fruits.

Slices of dried fruit and tree nuts form a circle on a tan background.
With the Northern Hemisphere harvest completed, the world tree nut production for the 2021/2022 season has been forecasted at about five million metric tons (kernel basis, except pistachios inshell), down by 8 percent from 2020/21, but yet following the last decade growing trend and above the 2011/12-2019/20 volumes. Between 2011/12 and 2021/22, tree nut production grew by 54 percent. Despite the COVID-19-related disruptions, overall demand remained strong in the 2020/21 marketing year, with most tree nut exports showing increments compared to the prior season and even hitting record international shipments. This season, the global shipment and logistics disruptions are creating some delays and short-term supply shortages,  making it a challenge to monitor and assess the situation at any given time. 

With the United States expecting a shorter crop, almond world production is forecasted down from 2020/21. Similarly, due to the top pistachio producers—U.S., Iran, and Turkey—experiencing good “off years,”  total crop is also forecasted lower than the previous season. Global walnut production is anticipated to end up slightly below 2020/21 levels, as China is expecting an average crop and California a shorter one, following last season’s record. A smaller crop of Brazil nuts is also anticipated. Cashew, hazelnut, and macadamia 2021/22 crops are foreseen to end up between 3 and 7 percent up from last season, while the biggest increment is observed for pine nuts, mainly due to larger crops in China and Russia. 

World peanut production is expected to amount to about 50.5 M MT, 2 percent up from 2020/21, with larger crops expected for Nicaragua (14%), Brazil (9%), Nigeria (8%), China (4%), U.S. (2%) and India (1%).  

The world production of dried fruit in 2021/22 has been forecasted at around 3.17 M MT, a growth of 6 percent compared to 2020/21, as production is expected to increase significantly for prunes and dates and slightly for dried grapes (raisins, Sultanas, and currants) and dried cranberries. Prune production is expected to recover in the U.S. and Serbia, as well as in Chile and Argentina, which are anticipating a better 2022 harvest. Date production is expected to grow in all origins due to expanding new plantations in North Africa and the Middle East.

A graph from the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council compares the 2020/21 Estimates to the 2021/22 Forecasts for global production of different tree nuts and dried fruits. Production values by metric tons, kernel basis (except for Pistachios which are by inshell basis). We will now go by each tree nut and give its 2020/21 estimate followed by its 2021/22 forecast. Almond: 1,738,700 in 2020 and 1,598,900 in 2021. Walnuts: 1,006,250 in 2020 and 984,925 in 2021. Cashews: 836,940 in 2020 and 861,390 in 2021. Pistachios: 1,058,700 in 2020 and 729,300 in 2021. Hazelnuts: 507,200 in 2020 and 541,130 in 2021. Pecans: 158,205 in 2020 and 148,364 in 2021. Macadamias: 63,025 in 2020 and 66,345 in 2021. Pine Nuts: 34,488 in 2020 and 43,810 in 2021. Brazil Nuts: 29,700 in 2020 and 24,500 in 2021. Total tree nuts: 5,433,208 in 2020 and 4,998,664 in 2021.

Author Photo

International Nut & Dried Fruit Council

The INC is the international umbrella organization for the nut and dried fruit industry. Its members include more than 850 nut and dried fruit sector companies from over 80 countries. INC  membership represents over 85% of the world’s commercial “farm gate” value of trade in nuts and dried fruits. The INC’s mission is to stimulate and facilitate sustainable growth in the global nut and dried fruit industry. It is the leading international organization on health, nutrition, statistics,  food safety, and international standards and regulations regarding nuts and dried fruits.