walnuts

Walnut production in the six major producing countries is forecast to reach a record 665,000 metric tons, in-shell basis, for the 1999/2000 marketing season, up 10 percent from the previous season. China and the U.S. both expect record crops, and each will account for about 38-40 percent of world production. Acreage is fairly stable in the U.S., but is increasing in China. Chinese walnut exports in 1997/98 were 50,000 tons, the same as the previous year's shipments. Chinese exports enter a variety of markets. Chinese shelled walnut exports go primarily to Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, and the United States, all developed countries. In 2002/03 walnut production in China was about 352000 tons, up 15 percent from last year. These increases reflect the general improvement of the Chinese walnut industry. Better varieties of trees, improved management of orchards, and more efficient agronomic practices have helped the industry. Exports from China are bound mainly for markets in the Far East and the Mideast, and are expected to remain unchanged, as strong domestic demand commands the largest share of production.