Growing Trend of Walnut Exports from India: A Global Perspective

The Indian appetite for walnuts has continued to rise since COVID-19, as the country's rapidly rising population learns about its health benefits.

- Suchetana Choudhury

Traditional and modern retail shops, including India's e-commerce sector, are also helping to boost consumer demand. Besides exports, walnut consumption in India has the potential for growth by 50 percent annually. For walnut exports from India to be successful, exporters need to adopt a multifaceted strategy that focuses on quality improvement, market expansion, value-added product development, supply chain efficiency, and building brand recognition.

According to Mordor Intelligence, the Walnut market size is anticipated to be $9.26 billion in 2025, rising to $11.77 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 4.9 percent between 2025 and 2030. The walnut industry is continuously developing, fuelled by rising demand for healthful and nutritious foods, particularly due to walnuts' high omega-3 content and well-known health benefits. The global production of walnuts is concentrated in a few major regions, with China, the United States, and Chile leading the way.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, China is the largest producer, accounting for more than half of global walnut production, with 1.4 million metric tonnes predicted in 2023. The country's extensive walnut growing is assisted by favorable weather and government incentives to boost nut output. The United States, particularly California, is another major supplier, accounting for more than 30 percent of global walnut production each year, according to the Dried Fruit Association of California.