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Top Pistachios Exports & Imports by Country Plus Average Prices

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In-shell pistachios
In-shell pistachios
In 2023, exports of pistachios were worth a total US$3.8 billion.

Exported pistachios decreased by -4.6% from 5 years earlier in 2019 when export sales for pistachios were worth $3.97 billion.

Year over year, overall export revenues grew by 17.6% compared to $3.22 billion in 2023 for the smoothly textured and slightly sweet seed.

Almost two-thirds (64.7%) of globally exported pistachios were in-shell compared to 35.3% sold with their shells removed (39.8% for 2022).

Pistachios seeds come from the fruits of small desert trees highly tolerant of salt-water soil. The shells of the pistachio are often dyed from their natural beige color to a distinctive red or green for commercial sale.

Consumers eat pistachios raw or roasted and salted. Pistachio nuts are key ingredients in special varieties of ice cream, spumoni, pistachio butter and pastes. Shelled pistachios are also the chopped nuts in the layered pastry dessert Baklava, and are used to make pistachio chocolate, biscotti and cold cuts like mortadella. In the United States, pistachio salad is made with fresh pistachios or pistachio pudding, whipped cream and canned fruit.

Most Valuable International Pistachio Suppliers

By value, the 5 biggest exporters of pistachios are the United States of America, Iran, Türkiye, Belgium, and Germany. Combined, that subset of major suppliers sold 91% of all pistachios sold on international markets during 2023.

Applying a continental lens, exporters in North America supplied the highest dollar worth of exported pistachios during 2023 with shipments valued at $2.38 billion or 62.9% of the global total. In second place were exporters in Asia (20.1%) trailed by competitors in Europe (16.7%), Oceania (0.2%) mostly Australia, Africa (0.07%), then those in Latin America (0.02%) excluding Mexico but including the Caribbean.

Major International Pistachio Buyers

Shifting our focus to imports, the 5 leading importers of pistachios in 2023 were mainland China, Germany, Türkiye, Italy and India. Collectively, that quintet of top import countries bought over half (51.5%) of globally imported pistachios as measured by dollar value.

The above percentages suggest the total 82 exporters of pistachios (91% for the corresponding top 5 exporters) is a more concentrated cohort compared to nearly 170 buying countries, islands and territories. At 51.5%, the top 5 importers accounted for a much smaller share of its world total for imported pistachios compared to the leading exporters.

As for global imports of pistachios by continent, 50.2% of pistachios purchased on international markets was delivered to customers in Asia ahead of importers in Europe (44.2%), North America (2.1%), Africa (also 2.1%), Oceania (0.9%) led by Australia, then Latin America (0.4%) excluding Mexico but including the Caribbean.

For research purposes, the 6-digit Harmonized Tariff System code prefix is 080251 for fresh or dried pistachios in shell, and 080252 for fresh or dried shelled pistachios.

Top Pistachios Exports by Country

Below are the top 20 countries that exported the highest dollar value worth of pistachios during 2023, regardless of whether the shipped pistachios were in-shell or shelled.

  1. United States: US$2.4 billion (62.9% of total exported pistachios)
  2. Iran: $321.2 million (8.5%)
  3. Türkiye: $318 million (8.4%)
  4. Belgium: $226.1 million (6%)
  5. Germany: $201.1 million (5.3%)
  6. Netherlands: $61 million (1.6%)
  7. Spain: $42.7 million (1.1%)
  8. Afghanistan: $32.3 million (0.9%)
  9. Italy: $31.7 million (0.8%)
  10. Hong Kong: $25.5 million (0.7%)
  11. Syria: $24.4 million (0.6%)
  12. mainland China: $19.7 million (0.5%)
  13. Greece: $15.9 million (0.4%)
  14. Slovakia: $14 million (0.4%)
  15. Luxembourg: $13.9 million (0.4%)
  16. Czech Republic: $9.9 million (0.3%)
  17. Australia: $7 million (0.2%)
  18. United Arab Emirates: $6.6 million (0.2%)
  19. France: $6.38 million (0.2%)
  20. Vietnam: $6.06 million (0.2%)

By value, the listed 20 countries shipped 99.4% of globally exported pistachios in 2023.

Among the top exporters, the fastest-growing exporters of pistachios since 2022 were: Luxembourg (up 260.2%), Czech Republic (up 237.9%), Slovakia (up 188.5%) and Belgium (up 119.3%).

Those countries that posted declines in their exported pistachios sales were led by: United Arab Emirates (down -94.2% from 2022), Vietnam (down -71.4%), Syria (down -44.6%), Australia (down -41.4%) and Greece (down -39.7%).

Top Pistachios Imports by Country

Overall spending of $3.33 billion on imported pistachios rose by 14.1% over the 5-year period starting from $3.7 billion in 2019 and increased by a 6.4% year-over-year advance compared to $3.13 billion for 2023.

Below are the 20 best buying markets as measured by the highest dollar value worth of pistachios imported during 2023, for any pistachios regardless of whether shelled or not.

  1. mainland China: US$463.1 million (13.9% of total imported pistachios)
  2. Germany: $437.8 million (13.1%)
  3. Türkiye: $304.4 million (9.1%)
  4. Italy: $302.5 million (9.1%)
  5. India: $209.8 million (6.3%)
  6. Vietnam: $145.7 million (4.4%)
  7. Spain: $142.2 million (4.3%)
  8. Belgium: $99.7 million (3%)
  9. United Arab Emirates: $95.2 million (2.9%)
  10. Netherlands: $78.1 million (2.3%)
  11. France: $75.5 million (2.3%)
  12. Saudi Arabia: $74.8 million (2.2%)
  13. United Kingdom: $71.7 million (2.2%)
  14. Poland: $66.2 million (2%)
  15. Iraq: $52.1 million (1.6%)
  16. Hong Kong: $51.1 million (1.5%)
  17. Israel: $45.2 million (1.4%)
  18. Mexico: $42.5 million (1.3%)
  19. Luxembourg: $38.3 million (1.1%)
  20. Jordan: $37.2 million (1.1%)

By value, the listed 20 countries bought 85% of globally imported pistachios in 2023.

Among the top importers, the fastest-growing importers of pistachios since 2022 were: Hong Kong (up 103.4%), mainland China (up 56.1%), Poland (up 51%) and Türkiye (up 34.2%).

Those countries that posted declines in their imported pistachios purchases were led by: Belgium (down -50.1% from 2022), Iraq (down -33.9%), United Arab Emirates (down -22.3%), Luxembourg (down -14.7%) and France (down -13.9%).

Imported In-Shell Pistachios: Lowest and Highest Unit Prices

In 2023, the world’s average unit price for imported in-shell pistachios was an estimated US$7,178 per ton. That dollar metric results from a -2.1% reduction from the average $7,333 per ton for 2022.

The average tonnage charge for the number one importer of unshelled pistachios, mainland China, was higher at $8,135.

Ranked in ascending order, listed below are the countries paying the lowest average unit prices for imported in-shell pistachios in 2023.

  1. Senegal: US$444 per ton (2022 data unavailable)
  2. Afghanistan: $641 per ton (down -89.1% from 2022)
  3. Ivory Coast: $1,000 per ton (2022 data unavailable)
  4. Estonia: $1,043 per ton (down -30.7%)
  5. Pakistan: $1,325 per ton (up 30.3%)
  6. Kazakhstan: $1,814 per ton (down -32.7%)
  7. Saint Pierre and Miquelon: $2,000 per ton (2022 data unavailable)
  8. Bolivia, Plurinational State of: $2,154 per ton (2022 data unavailable)
  9. Sri Lanka: $2,412 per ton (up 23.2%)
  10. Tajikistan: $2,429 per ton (up 49.7%)
  11. Kyrgyzstan: $2,435 per ton (down -40.5%)
  12. Iceland: $3,000 per ton (down -40%)
  13. Belize: $3,000 per ton (down -33.3%)
  14. Mozambique: $3,000 per ton (2022 data unavailable)
  15. Tunisia: $3,474 per ton (up 4.9%)

The greatest reductions in average unit price paid per ton for in-shell pistachios were enjoyed by low-cost importers in Afghanistan (down -89.1% from 2022), Kyrgyzstan (down -40.5%), Iceland (down -40%) and Belize (down -33.3%).

The following countries paid the highest average unit prices for imported in-shell pistachios.

  1. Mauritius: US$25,750 per ton (up 157.5% from 2022)
  2. Northern Mariana Islands: $17,000 per ton (2022 data unavailable)
  3. Dominican Republic: $16,286 per ton (up 43.9%)
  4. Norway: $14,259 per ton (up 53.7%)
  5. Panama: $13,957 per ton (up 57.6%)
  6. Nicaragua: $13,000 per ton (down -35%)
  7. Botswana: $13,000 per ton (down -7.1%)
  8. Sweden: $12,451 per ton (up 50.5%)
  9. Denmark: $12,095 per ton (up 25.5%)
  10. Cabo Verde: $12,000 per ton (2022 data unavailable)
  11. El Salvador: $11,917 per ton (down -4.1%)
  12. New Zealand: $11,366 per ton (down -13.5%)
  13. Macao: $11,307 per ton (down -7.1%)
  14. Finland: $11,123 per ton (up 3.6%)
  15. Fiji: $11,000 per ton (up 266.7%)

Experiencing the strongest pistachio inflation in terms of higher average unit prices paid in 2023 compared to 2022 were: Fiji (up 266.7%), Mauritius (up 157.5%), Panama (up 57.6%), Norway (up 53.7%) then Sweden (up 50.5%).

Imported Shelled Pistachios: Lowest and Highest Unit Prices

In 2023, the world’s average unit price for imported shelled pistachios was an estimated US$12,509 per ton. That dollar average is much higher than that for unshelled versions, caused in part due to labor costs.

The average unit price for shelled pistachio imports inflated by 10.5% compared to $11,322 per ton for 2022.

The average tonnage charge for the number one importer of shelled pistachios, Italy, was higher at $14,999.

Ranked in ascending order, listed below are the countries paying the lowest average unit prices for imported shelled pistachios in 2023.

  1. Tanzania: US$200 per ton (2022 data unavailable from 2022)
  2. Senegal: $333 per ton (down -50.1%)
  3. Ivory Coast: $660 per ton (down -12.4%)
  4. Liberia: $1,000 per ton (2022 data unavailable)
  5. Nigeria: $1,154 per ton (down -14.7%)
  6. Sri Lanka: $1,205 per ton (up 13.4%)
  7. Kyrgyzstan: $1,348 per ton (up 15.5%)
  8. Kazakhstan: $1,816 per ton (down -38.1%)
  9. Honduras: $2,000 per ton (2022 data unavailable)
  10. Tajikistan: $2,000 per ton (down -48%)
  11. Guyana: $2,000 per ton (2022 data unavailable)
  12. Benin: $2,000 per ton (2022 data unavailable)
  13. Bahamas: $2,200 per ton (down -58.7%)
  14. Pakistan: $2,365 per ton (up 160.7%)
  15. Ghana: $2,500 per ton (down -16.7%)

The greatest average price decreases were posted by low-cost importers in Bahamas (down -58.7% from 2022), Senegal (down -50.1%), Tajikistan (down -48%), Kazakhstan (down -38.1%) and Ghana (down -16.7%).

The following countries paid the highest average unit prices for imported shelled pistachios.

  1. Russia: US$43,000 per ton (up 226.2% from 2022)
  2. Macao: $40,667 per ton (up 80.7%)
  3. Switzerland: $30,502 per ton (up 15.2%)
  4. Mauritius: $30,000 per ton (up 386.5%)
  5. Taiwan: $29,250 per ton (down -17.4%)
  6. Austria: $25,673 per ton (up 12.2%)
  7. Finland: $23,351 per ton (up 11.5%)
  8. United States of America: $22,753 per ton (up 38.3%)
  9. Tunisia: $22,500 per ton (up 151.7%)
  10. Luxembourg: $22,000 per ton (up 110.2%)
  11. Curaçao: $22,000 per ton (2022 data unavailable)
  12. Paraguay: $22,000 per ton (up 37.5%)
  13. Palestine: $21,600 per ton (2022 data unavailable)
  14. Qatar: $21,069 per ton (up 161.8%)
  15. Oman: $21,000 per ton (up 31.5%)

The greatest inflation for shelled pistachio average unit prices paid were recorded for buyers in: Mauritius (up 386.5% from 2022), Russia (up 226.2%), Qatar (up 161.8%), Tunisia (151.7%) then Luxembourg (up 110.2%).

See also Top Peanuts Exports & Imports by Country Plus Average Prices, Top Almonds Exporters by Country, Top Walnut Exporters by Country, Top Cashews Exports & Imports by Country Plus Average Prices, Top Hazelnuts Exports & Imports by Country Plus Average Prices, Top Brazil Nuts Exports & Imports by Country Plus Average Prices and Top Chestnuts Exports & Imports by Country Plus Average Prices

Research Sources:
Alibaba, Pistachio Showroom. Accessed on September 30, 2024

Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook Field Listing: Exports – Commodities. Accessed on September 30, 2024

International Trade Centre, Trade Map. Accessed on September 30, 2024

Wikipedia, Pistachio. Accessed on September 30, 2024