In Moldova, recent rainfall has positively impacted the walnut industry, facilitating the timely start of the harvest and promising enhanced nut quality, as reported by AgroExpert. Oleg Tirsine, the head of the Association of Walnut Growers of Moldova, highlighted the importance of humidity from the rainfall for the ripening process, enabling the green shell to burst and release the nuts. This contrasts with previous years' challenges, where dry conditions led to the need for labor-intensive post-harvest processing and increased mould risk. Tirsine noted that early varieties like Peschansky are expected to be harvested soon, aligning with seasonal norms.
Meanwhile, in Ukraine, walnut production is projected to decrease by 4% in the 2024/25 season to 101,300 mt, according to the USDA. The SSSU's data for 2023 indicates a harvest of 106,120 mt from 16,400 ha. The shift from predominantly private or small-scale farming to more commercial operations is noted, alongside challenges such as aging trees and varying climatic conditions affecting yields.
Ukrainian walnut exports are also on a decline, attributed to challenges in maintaining consistent quality across diverse suppliers. This has affected Ukraine's competitiveness on the international market, with countries like the USA, China, and Chile gaining advantage. The USDA forecasts a 9.4% decrease in Ukrainian walnut exports for the 2024/25 season.
Conversely, the EU has ramped up its walnut imports, with Ukraine being a significant supplier despite a substantial 80.8% increase in imports from Ukraine, making it the second-largest source after the USA. Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands are the leading importers within the EU.
Source: Mundus Agri