Germany Leads Nut Imports with 2.16 Million Tonnes

Total

Abstract

Trends in nut imports are evolving with changing global dietary habits and growing health consciousness. According to 2021 data, Germany was the top importer of nuts, recording 2.16 million tonnes (Mt). This figure reflects the size of Germany’s consumer market and the growing number of health-conscious consumers. In recent years, demand for nuts has increased, especially in Europe and North America, due to growing awareness of their health benefits. Nuts are highly nutritious and are said to be good for preventing cardiovascular disease and for dieting, so many people actively incorporate them into their diet. As a result, nut imports are on the rise. Developed countries such as Germany have a particularly strong demand for almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts, which is contributing to the increase in imports. In addition, major exporting countries for nuts include the United States, Turkey, and Iran. These countries offer stable supplies and high quality nuts, helping them remain competitive in the global market. Importing countries are vulnerable to climate change and fluctuations in production volumes in producing countries, so stability of supply is an important factor. As such, nut import trends are closely linked to growing health consciousness and market needs, and are expected to continue to move in response to consumer interests and changes in the market.

Nut imports (worldwide)

When analyzing data on nut imports from 1961 to 2021, Germany stands out in terms of nut imports. Notably, in 2020, Germany recorded a peak in nut imports of 3.21 million tonnes (Mt), but current imports have fallen to a level equivalent to 67.5% of that figure. This downward trend can be explained by several factors. First, changes in the nut market include increased health consciousness and changing eating habits. The peak in 2020 is likely the result of a surge in demand for nuts coupled with an increased health consciousness. However, subsequent declines could be due to market maturity, increased competition, or fluctuations in supply. Additionally, disruptions to logistics and supply chains caused by the pandemic may also be a contributing factor. As an importer of nuts, Germany relies on stable sources of supply, with the United States, Turkey and Iran being its main suppliers. Production conditions and price fluctuations in these countries have a direct impact on import volumes, so German imports can fluctuate accordingly. Overall, nut import volumes tend to fluctuate according to market demand and supply stability, with Germany being a prime example. Going forward, consumer health consciousness and market trends will likely influence import volumes.

Nut imports (worldwide)
agri

The maximum is the latest one, 27.7Mt of India

Nut imports by country (latest year)

Looking at the data on nut imports, we can see that Germany is the leading country for nut imports in 2021, with 2.16 million tonnes (Mt). This figure indicates high demand for nuts in Germany and reflects an increasingly health-conscious consumer environment. Meanwhile, the average volume of nuts imports in 2021 was 103 thousand tonnes (kt), bringing the overall total to 18.9 million tonnes. Nut import trends have several characteristics. First of all, the main importing countries are health-conscious countries that are actively incorporating nuts into their diet, including Germany, the United States, China, and France. As the health benefits of nuts become more widely recognized, demand is increasing in these countries. Additionally, nut imports are showing a steady increase worldwide, with demand for almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts in particular growing. On the supply side, Turkey, the United States, Iran and other major producing countries support the market, and fluctuations in export volumes from these countries affect import volumes. Overall, the increase in nut imports reflects growing health awareness and a globalized market, and is expected to continue to grow in the future.

Nut imports by country (latest year)
agri

The maximum is 27.7Mt of India, the average is 564kt, and the total is 95.9Mt

Nut imports (continental)

Data for 2021 shows that Europe had the largest volume of nut imports at 9.12 million tonnes (Mt), a figure that remains at its peak. This trend reflects the growing demand for nuts in the European market, driven by increasingly health-conscious consumers. Nuts are becoming increasingly popular in many European countries due to their high nutritional value and their potential to help prevent cardiovascular disease and aid in dieting. This has resulted in a significant increase in nut imports across Europe. Major importing countries include Germany, France and Italy, with demand for almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts being particularly notable. Additionally, the European nut market relies on imports from major producing countries such as the United States, Turkey and Iran to ensure a stable supply. Fluctuations in quality and price from these supplying countries have a direct impact on European import volumes, making market stability a key factor. Overall, nut imports reflect Europe’s health consciousness and market growth, with demand expected to continue to increase. This shows that nuts are well established as an important part of the diet.

Nut imports (continental)
agri

The maximum is the latest one, 41.7Mt of Asia

Nut imports (latest year, continental)

According to 2021 data, Europe recorded the largest volume of nut imports, reaching 8.73 million tonnes (Mt). The figures show that demand for nuts is very high and highlight the importance of the European market. Total imports were 18.9 million tonnes, with Europe dominating the market. The average import volume of nuts was 3.15 million tonnes, with Europe standing out with a value of 8.73 million tonnes. This is due to growing health consciousness in European countries and the popularity of nuts as snacks and cooking ingredients. There is particularly high demand for almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts, and these nuts are widely consumed. This trend is influenced by changes in awareness of the nutritional value and health benefits of nuts, as well as diversifying dietary habits. The main suppliers of nuts are the United States, Turkey and Iran, and a stable supply from these countries supports demand in Europe. Overall, the increase in nut imports reflects growing health awareness and an expanding market, indicating that Europe is a significant player in the nut market.

Nut imports (latest year, continental)
agri

The maximum is 41.7Mt of Asia, the average is 16Mt, and the total is 96Mt

Main data

Reference

Hannah Ritchie, Pablo Rosado and Max Roser (2023) – Agricultural Production. Published online at OurWorldInData.org.

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