12 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Walnuts
12 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Walnuts
12 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Walnuts - According to FAO
Statistical Corporate Database in 2020, there are 12 World’s Biggest walnut
producers in 2024. They have a huge production of Walnut in the World.
Statistically, the world’s production of walnut in 2024 reached 4.3 million
tons with a harvested area around 1.39 million hectares (ha) across the
country.
Based
on the biological species, there are some popular walnuts in the world grown in
many countries. These are Persian/ English walnut (Juglans regia), black
walnut (Juglans nigra), butternuts (Juglans cinerea), Japanese
walnut (J. ailantifolia). Most of these species are still consumed globally.
Biologically, Division: Tracheophyta; Subdivision: Spermatophytina; Class:
Magnoliopsida; Superorder: Rosanae; Order: Fagales; Family: Juglandaceae.
Functionally, walnuts can be consumed after the roasting process and this nut
can be used in some ingredients in food, namely, walnut soup, walnut pie,
walnut coffee cake.
The World’s Area Harvested, World’s Production, and Yield of Walnuts From 1961 to 2024
|
Years |
World's
Area harvested of Walnut Plants |
World's
Production of Walnuts |
Yield
of Walnuts |
|
(Hectare
(Ha)) |
(Tons) |
Tons/
Ha |
|
|
1961 |
161,347 |
497,077 |
3.08 |
|
1962 |
160,074 |
530,187 |
3.31 |
|
1963 |
158,248 |
529,130 |
3.34 |
|
1964 |
158,906 |
547,407 |
3.44 |
|
1965 |
157,435 |
533,463 |
3.39 |
|
1966 |
161,715 |
584,392 |
3.61 |
|
1967 |
156,297 |
562,147 |
3.60 |
|
1968 |
158,000 |
591,254 |
3.74 |
|
1969 |
153,788 |
619,973 |
4.03 |
|
1970 |
158,954 |
654,660 |
4.12 |
|
1971 |
157,709 |
678,585 |
4.30 |
|
1972 |
164,461 |
635,637 |
3.86 |
|
1973 |
160,114 |
791,963 |
4.95 |
|
1974 |
158,056 |
668,099 |
4.23 |
|
1975 |
166,001 |
732,768 |
4.41 |
|
1976 |
169,733 |
743,482 |
4.38 |
|
1977 |
169,429 |
716,599 |
4.23 |
|
1978 |
177,724 |
743,899 |
4.19 |
|
1979 |
173,991 |
790,726 |
4.54 |
|
1980 |
173,874 |
795,415 |
4.57 |
|
1981 |
174,082 |
780,722 |
4.48 |
|
1982 |
176,863 |
874,377 |
4.94 |
|
1983 |
175,373 |
844,051 |
4.81 |
|
1984 |
176,299 |
838,407 |
4.76 |
|
1985 |
385,884 |
836,056 |
2.17 |
|
1986 |
398,237 |
842,476 |
2.12 |
|
1987 |
397,147 |
874,537 |
2.20 |
|
1988 |
406,471 |
867,914 |
2.14 |
|
1989 |
404,558 |
919,535 |
2.27 |
|
1990 |
405,133 |
890,515 |
2.20 |
|
1991 |
418,369 |
930,140 |
2.22 |
|
1992 |
421,113 |
940,244 |
2.23 |
|
1993 |
441,280 |
1,107,485 |
2.51 |
|
1994 |
432,949 |
1,055,641 |
2.44 |
|
1995 |
449,684 |
1,063,926 |
2.37 |
|
1996 |
465,086 |
1,096,252 |
2.36 |
|
1997 |
465,459 |
1,129,981 |
2.43 |
|
1998 |
515,558 |
1,196,368 |
2.32 |
|
1999 |
527,187 |
1,259,557 |
2.39 |
|
2000 |
544,802 |
1,287,663 |
2.36 |
|
2001 |
559,914 |
1,327,394 |
2.37 |
|
2002 |
570,425 |
1,415,575 |
2.48 |
|
2003 |
597,973 |
1,591,456 |
2.66 |
|
2004 |
610,847 |
1,569,649 |
2.57 |
|
2005 |
631,005 |
1,816,977 |
2.88 |
|
2006 |
680,112 |
1,867,376 |
2.75 |
|
2007 |
700,999 |
1,995,134 |
2.85 |
|
2008 |
783,821 |
2,255,247 |
2.88 |
|
2009 |
830,213 |
2,489,066 |
3.00 |
|
2010 |
958,779 |
2,780,469 |
2.90 |
|
2011 |
1,156,374 |
3,361,853 |
2.91 |
|
2012 |
909,137 |
2,613,525 |
2.87 |
|
2013 |
937,757 |
2,641,398 |
2.82 |
|
2014 |
1,020,139 |
3,002,815 |
2.94 |
|
2015 |
1,087,524 |
3,262,701 |
3.00 |
|
2016 |
1,045,530 |
3,303,259 |
3.16 |
|
2017 |
1,069,934 |
3,363,576 |
3.14 |
|
2018 |
1,074,103 |
3,298,495 |
3.07 |
|
2019 |
1,151,835 |
3,421,006 |
2.97 |
|
2020 |
1,228,650 |
3,748,080 |
3.05 |
|
2021 |
1,257,308 |
3,812,524 |
3.03 |
|
2022 |
1,311,211 |
4,002,276 |
3.05 |
|
2023 |
1,344,774 |
4,257,140 |
3.17 |
|
2024 |
1,399,757 |
4,349,163 |
3.11 |
|
Source: FAOSTAT, 2026 |
|||
In
the world’s statistical database, the world’s area harvested and production of
walnuts gradually increased from 1961 to 2024. In the year of 1961, the world’s
area harvested of walnuts was just 161 thousand hectares (Ha) and it increased to
1.39 million hectares (Ha) in the year of 2024. Meanwhile, the world’s
production of walnuts in 1961 was just 497 thousand tons and it has grown to
4.34 million tons in the year of 2024. Furthermore, another variable, the yield
of walnuts is also relatively stable in the value of 2.12 tons/ ha to 4.94
tons/ha.
The Statistical Production of Walnuts Based on Continental Regions in 2024
|
Continental
Region |
Production
of Walnuts in 2024 |
|
(Tons) |
|
|
Africa |
178,658 |
|
Americas |
914,892 |
|
Asia |
2,813,884 |
|
Europe |
429,233 |
|
Oceania |
12,497 |
|
Source: FAOSTAT, 2026 |
|
Agronomically,
In the continent regions, the cultivation of Walnut has spread across the
continental regions, and it can be seen in many regions. Specifically,
according to the FAO Statistical Database (FAOSTAT) in 2026, Asia still becomes
the main production area of walnut in the year of 2024 with total output around
2,813,884 tons and followed by Americas continent with 914,892 tons. Meanwhile,
Europe is in third with total output around 429,233 tons, followed by Africa
with 178,658 tons, and Oceania with 12,497 tons.
Specifically,
based on the country, there are 12th world’s biggest country
producers of Walnut in 2024. These countries have a larger consumption of walnuts
than others. Here are the 12 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Walnuts in
2024.
The Rank of 12 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Walnuts in 2024
|
Rank |
Countries |
Production
of Walnuts in 2024 |
|
(Tons) |
||
|
1 |
China, mainland |
1,500,000 |
|
2 |
United States of America |
547,030 |
|
3 |
Türkiye |
426,000 |
|
4 |
Iran (Islamic Republic of) |
411,331 |
|
5 |
India |
317,776 |
|
6 |
Chile |
175,000 |
|
7 |
Mexico |
169,815 |
|
8 |
Burkina Faso |
143,829 |
|
9 |
Ukraine |
106,900 |
|
10 |
Greece |
96,910 |
|
11 |
Romania |
52,700 |
|
12 |
Uzbekistan |
49,148 |
|
Source: FAOSTAT, 2026 |
||
Brief Description of 12 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Walnuts
1.China, mainland
China
still become the world’s biggest producer of walnuts by 2024. Statistically,
the production of Walnut from this country reached 1,500,000 tons.
Geographically, in this country, there are some provinces that have become the
major cultivation area. These provinces are Yunan, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Shanxi,
Hebei, Gansu, and Liaoning. Genetically, there are some cultivars that are
popular grown in China and these cultivars are J. regia and J. sigillata.
Furthermore, in China, there are specific types of walnuts known as
"Wenwan" walnuts (文玩核桃) and this walnut is known for prized as
collectibles, hand exercisers, and status symbols.
2.United States of America
The
United States of America become the 2nd world’s biggest country
producer of Walnuts in 2024. Based on the FAO Statistical Database in 2026, the
production of Walnut in 2024 from Abraham Lincoln’s country reached 574,030
tons. Geographically, in this country, California becomes the main region that
contributes 99% of total walnut national production in the United States of
America. Within California states, most of Walnut is cultivated in San Joaquin
and Sacramento Valley, the coastal valley regions and Sierra foothills. In
terms of genetic aspects, some of the walnut cultivars grown in the USA are the
Eastern Black Walnut (Juglans nigra), English Walnut/ Persian Walnut (Juglans
regia). Besides fulfilling domestic needs/ consumption, the United States of
America exported the walnuts to other nations and the USA still became the
world's leading walnut exporter. Specifically, approximately 2/3 of total USA's
walnut crop is shipped to destination markets including Germany, Turkey, Japan,
South Korea, and Spain.
3. Türkiye
Türkiye
still becomes the 3rd world’s biggest country producer of walnuts in
World of 2024. Statistically, the production of Walnut from this country
reached 426,000 tons. In Türkiye language, walnuts commonly known as ‘Ceviz’
or ‘Koz’. functionally, this walnut in Turkiye can be used for ingredients
of some Türkiye cuisine. Some of the cuisine with walnut compositions are
‘kek’, ‘batrak’, ‘aşure’, ‘kek’, ‘cevizli helva’, ‘cevizli ekmek’, ‘baklava’,
and ‘kadayıf’. Geographically, Walnut is planted in all of the regions in
Türkiye but some of the main cultivation regions of walnuts are located in the
Aegean, Marmara, as well as Central and Southeastern Anatolia. Related to genetics,
there are some cultivars of walnuts grown in Türkiye, namely 'Şebin',
'Bilecik', and 'Maraş 18', 'Chandler', 'Fernor', and 'Franquette'.
4. Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Iran
is the third-biggest country in the world with production around 411,331 tons
in 2024 according to FAO Statistical Corporate Database in 2026.
Geographically, some of the main walnut cultivation areas can be found in some provinces
in Iran including Hamadan, Semnan, Qazvin, Isfahan and Gilan. Historically, one
of the most popular walnut species, the English/ Persian walnut, came from this
nation. Culturally, in Iran, walnuts describe sustenance, longevity, and warmth
and walnuts still become a foundational ingredient in Persian cuisine, for
example Fesenjan.
5. India
Statistically, according to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT),
The
production of walnuts from India reached 317,776 tons in 2024. Geographically, Jammu and Kashmir still
becomes the main cultivation area of Walnuts, contributing 85% to 90% of
India's total output of Walnuts.
Specifically, Walnuts hold cultural
significance as esteemed gifts, especially during major festivals such as
Diwali, when dry fruits are traditionally associated with wealth, health, and
prosperity.
6.Chile
Chile
is the next biggest country producer from South American region. In 2024, the
production of Walnut from Chile reached 175,000 tons. Geographically, in Chile,
there are some regions that have an enormous contribution to Chile's walnut.
These regions are Metropolitan (Santiago), O’Higgins, Maule, Valparaíso,
Coquimbo, Ñuble, Biobí. In Chile, the Walnuts is unique because most of Walnut
from Chile is exported to other nations with destination market including
India, Turkey, Germany, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates. Meanwhile, Chilean
People just consume the Walnuts less than 2% of total production.
7. Mexico
Mexico
is the next biggest producer of walnuts in 2024. Statistically, the production
of Walnut from Mexico reached 169,815 tons. Geographically, Chihuahua is the
main cultivation area of Walnuts in Mexico, contributing roughly 65% of
Mexico's total production of Walnuts. Other areas of walnut cultivation can be
found in Coahuila, Sonora, Durango, and Nuevo León. One of the species of
walnuts grown in Mexico is Nuez de Castilla (Juglans regia). As
of now, Mexico still relies heavily on imports to meet its domestic demand/
consumptions.
8. Burkina Faso
Statistically,
according to the FAO Statistical Corporate Database in 2026, Burkina Faso still
becomes one of the world's biggest country producers of Walnuts. Specifically,
the production of Walnuts from Burkina Faso reached 143,829 tons in 2024
9. Ukraine
Ukraine
is a European country that has huge production of Walnut. In 2024, the
production from this country reached 106,900 tons. Geographically, there are
some regions in Ukraine that have become cultivation of walnuts. These regions
are Chernovitsky, Zakarpatsky and Pridnestrovsko-Prikarpatsky. Structurally,
over 95% of Ukraine's walnuts are grown informally by households and small
private family farms.
10.Greece
Greece
is the 10th biggest producer of Walnut in 2024. According to the FAO
Statistical Corporate Database in 2026, the production of Walnut from Greece
reached 96,910 tons. In this country, some regions that have huge production of
walnuts are Peloponnesus (Achaia and Arkadia) and Thessaly (Trikala and
Larissa). Both can contribute more than 40% of national production of Walnut in
Greece. Structurally, most of Greece's walnuts are grown dominated by small
private family farms operating on less than 5 hectares.
11. Romania
Romania
is the next biggest country producer from Europe besides Ukraine that has huge
production of walnut. In 2024, the production of Walnut from this country
reached 52,700 tons. Geographically, the cultivation of walnuts from Romania
can be seen throughout the region of this country. But specifically, there are
the main cultivation regions of it. Some of the walnut cultivations are
concentrated in the Carpathian Mountains, northwestern, northeastern, and
southern regions. Structurally, the Walnuts in Romania are massively planted in
the small rural household fields.
12. Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan
is the next biggest producer from the Asia region. In 2024, the production of
Walnut from Uzbekistan reached 49,148 tons. In this country, there are some
main regions of Walnut in Uzbekistan. These regions are Samarkand, Jizzakh,
Kashkadarya and Surkhandarya that have enormous contributions to Uzbekistan.
Structurally, more than 80% of Uzbekistan's walnut production comes from
traditional private household plots.
The Table Rank of 12 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Walnuts in 2024
The Histogram Rank of 12 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Walnuts in 2024
Bibliography of 12 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Walnuts
FAO.
2026. Production/Yield quantities of Walnuts, with shell in World + (Total)
2024. Accessed via https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL/visualize on January 27th, 2026.