As Chile’s harvest of walnuts started earlier this month (March) in the northern areas, demand for the inshell product is strong in the Middle Eastern markets. “Despite high US inventories their quality is not the best because of the weather conditions the last season, that allows Chilean walnuts to be priced at a premium,” says Jaime Valdes, Nuts Export Manager of Chilean fruit producer and exporter Prize.
“India, Turkey and Italy are our main markets. India and Turkey for the inshell walnuts and Italy for shelled walnuts. The demand for inshell product in the Middle East is strong and getting active year by year, specifically from India. The market there seeks for very high-quality walnuts regarding colour and yield, matching well with the characteristics of Chilean walnuts.”
He also sees India as a fast growing market together with the Middle East and Asia for Prize, who started their walnuts season on 15 March 2023. “India is an interesting market for us. Consumption of dry fruits is going up, therefore the potential is huge. Additionally, in the Middle East and Asia region there is a large interest for high-quality walnuts and Chile has a good reputation and presence to keep growing,” states Valdes.
Valdes says the walnuts market sees changing trends each season. “Trends of the market changes throughout the season, but right now we are seeing the US with high inventories, but with lower quality because of climate effects. That allows Chile to be priced at a premium to US walnuts.”
Despite their own production of walnuts, Prize has several producers across the country who supply them throughout the season. “Orchards of our growers are located from Santiago to the South. In the Central-South, our walnuts are recognized for their colour and condition. In terms of volume, we normally export over 4,000 tons of inshell walnuts. Chandler is the main variety of walnuts in Prize Nuts. Serr variety is in the second position, but we have very little volume available of it. If you are looking for the world´s finest walnuts, Chilean walnuts should be your choice,” Valdes proudly states.
For more information:
Jaime Valdes
Prize
Tel: +56 72 258 4880
Email: jvaldes@prize.cl
www.prize.cl