Recently, USDA released a survey report to analyze and predict the production, consumption and trade situations of various nuts products in 2019/20 in China in details.

Walnuts

Since nationwide walnut producing areas have favorable weather condition, the walnut yield in China in 2019/20 season (Sept. 2019 – Aug. 2020) is expected to reach 1 million ton (unshelled), increasing 18% on year on year basis. The quality is improved obviously than that in the previous season.

The walnuts are planted in 21 provinces in China, but 40% growing area is in hills and mountainous areas. At present, Xinjiang, instead of Yunnan, has become the largest walnut production area in China, accounting for 50% of total yield in China. Other provinces with large growing area are Shaanxi, Shanxi, Hebei, Gansu and Henan. On the one hand, the yield growth reduced profits; on the other hand, many walnut growers start growing nuts with larger returns such as Macadamia nuts and pecans. Thus, the walnut growing area in China will be reduced from 2019/20 season.

In terms of varieties, there are 50 walnut varieties in China, and mostly are local varieties; the proportion of imported varieties such as Chandler and Hartley is small.

Almonds

In 2019/20 season (Aug. 2019-July 2020), the almonds yield in China is expected to be 45,000t (unshelled), increasing slightly than that in the previous year. The growing area is about 945,000mu (63,000ha.).

About 95% almonds are produced in Shache county, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Due to insufficient input in agriculture and laggard management approaches, the productivity of almonds is low. The almonds produced in Xinjiang could not compete with mainstream import varieties in market such as Nonpareil, Monterey, Carmel and Independence. In fact, almost all almonds in Shache County are consumed in local markets, and even within Xinjiang.

Pistachio

It is reported that the pistachio growing area in China is nearly 60,000mu (4000ha.), but the yield in 2019/20 season (Sept. 2019-Aug. 2020) predicted by the industry is only 300t. The pistachio growing in China is still in pilot stage, and the exploration in pistachio varieties, growing technologies and commercial production just starts.

Macadamia nuts

Macadamia nut is the nut variety developing the fastest in China. The statistical data of International Nut and Dried Fruit shows the macadamia nuts yield in 2019/20 season (Sept. 2019-Aug. 2020) is about 30,000t (unshelled) in China, increasing 40% on year on year basis; the nationwide growing area is about 2.4 million mu (160,000ha.), in which, the proportion in Yunnan is 93% while in Guangxi is 7%.

Hazel nuts

It is learned from the industry that China could realize self-sufficiency in hazel nuts soon. The hazel nut yield in 2019/20 season (Sept. 2019-Aug. 2020) in China is about 40,000t. The nationwide growing area is 2.4 million mu (160,000ha.), mainly in Heilongjiang, Liaoning, Jilin, Shandong and Hebei Province. Most varieties are hybrid of local and European varieties.

Pecans

The pecans in China are mainly planted in Yunnan, Anhui, Jiangsu and Zhejiang Province, and nationwide total area is expected to reach 705,000mu (47,000ha.). Most trees have not fruited yet, and the yield in 2019/20 season (Sept. 2019-Aug. 2020) is only 500t.