Walnuts: Hungary's exports to the EU drop drastically

BUDAPEST/SANTIAGO. A large part of the crop is destined for the domestic market. In the past two years, more and more buyers in the EU have switched from Eastern European to Chilean goods, so Hungary, for example, hardly records any exports to EU countries.

Chile outshines Hungary

Walnut farmers in Hungary are optimistic about this year's crop. The total acreage here is about 9,000 ha, the same as last year. In addition, the growers report that there was no frost damage this spring and that the plants are therefore developing well.

Since it is difficult to estimate how the war in Ukraine will develop, the market here is characterized by great uncertainty. What is currently causing the Eastern European processors, the most headaches are the high energy prices. In addition, there is a strong presence of Chilean walnuts on the European market; in recent years, European buyers have increasingly turned to Chilean goods, and the Eastern European markets have lost out. Hungarian market players, for example, report that their exports of walnut kernels have almost completely stopped, and exports of inshell walnuts to EU markets have also fallen by 60% in the last two years. Walnuts from Hungarian plantations are now offered almost exclusively on the domestic market, which is very unlikely to change this season.

USA remains the top supplier for Germany

In the period September 2021 to February 2022, Germany increased its walnut imports slightly by 1.6%. The most important supplier remains the USA, which recorded an increase of 10.5% with 11,084 mt. Both Ukraine and China were even able to double their shipments to Germany in this period, while Chile only delivered 4,591 mt and thus suffered a bitter loss of 22.8%.

(mundus-Agri)