This week, Donald Trump has started a global tariff war that, in the case of the European Union, will result in a 20% increase in tariffs on European products exported to the U.S. However, as Ursula von der Leyen has been saying for days and as she has just stated in a European Commission communiqué, Europe "is ready to respond;" with negotiations, but foreseeably also with the imposition of reciprocal tariffs on U.S. exports to the EU bloc, which would equally result in a 20% increase in their prices.
Looking at the figures for fruit and vegetable products from the U.S. imported into Spain, there is no doubt that nuts stand out the most, with shelled almonds in first place, followed by pistachios, one of the nuts that have been expanding most rapidly in Spain.
© Mister Pistacho
"Without a doubt, pistachio is a trendy product, and its consumption has increased exponentially," says Javier Moreno from Mister Pistachio. "In Spain, we already have around 80,000 hectares planted with pistachio, but even with this growth we are not going to be affected by any tariff aspects; and not only because we have a relatively small production for now, but also because Spanish pistachio is a priority choice for European clients, as opposed to imports."
© Mister Pistacho
"We can deliver the amounts that customers need, with no minimum volumes, instead of selling full containers. We offer a service and delivery times that are impossible to match by other suppliers, and Spanish pistachio has a superior quality that is preferred by EU buyers, who also value the food safety of European products. And we know this because, up until now, the price of Spanish pistachios has stood between 1 and 1.20 euros above that of American pistachios, and demand has continued to exceed supply every year," says Javier.
"However, the 20% increase in the price of American pistachios in Europe could make importers turn to Iran or Turkey for their supply. Up until now, pistachios from the United States have been costing an average of 9 euros, and with the 20% rise, it could go up to around 10.80 Euros, which is considerably more expensive than the current price of Iranian or Turkish pistachio."
© Mister Pistacho
At the moment, the earliest varieties, such as Larnaka, have already flowered and, little by little, the more than 79,200 hectares that Spain officially had by the end of 2023 will be completing the flowering, thus kicking off the start of a season in which, according to Javier, production could double compared to 2024, which was an off year.
© Mister Pistacho
"This year, the situation in the pistachio market looks very interesting, and it could have been even more so if all the hectares planted in Spain were in full production. Approximately just 30% of the plantations are in production and many of them are very young. With an average yield of 1,000 kilos per hectare in mature rainfed plantations and around 2,500 kilos per hectare in irrigated ones, the production potential could exceed 120,000 tons, compared to the 10,000 we are expecting to harvest."
For more information:
Mister Pistachio
Camino de Hontanilla, 1
45360. Villarrubia de Santiago, Toledo, Spain
Tel.: +34 667 35 90 48
info@misterpistacho.es
https://misterpistacho.es/