2023 Marks Second Largest Global Pistachio Harvest in the Last 15 Years
A Historic Milestone in the Pistachio Industry
By Keinia Group (source: PistachioPro)The pistachio industry is on the brink of witnessing a historic event as the global pistachio harvest for the 2023-24 season is expected to surpass one million metric tons, marking only the second time in the last 15 years that this milestone has been achieved, according to the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC).
A Surge in Worldwide Production
The increase in worldwide production is striking, with a total of 1,022,600 metric tons projected for the upcoming season, making this achievement second only to the record set in 2020. The INC reveals that average production has surged by an impressive 46% over the past decade.
Key Players and Bright Prospects
Amid this global pistachio bonanza, Spain stands as one of the key players, with an estimated production of 4,500 metric tons. However, the prospects are even brighter, suggesting that this number could be surpassed and reach over 5,000 metric tons due to favorable conditions in the plantations.
The infographic showcasing pistachio production by countries illustrates the following data:
Pistachio Production with Shells (metric tons)
| Country | 2021/22 | 2022/23 | 2023/24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 528,000 | 401,039 | 590,000 |
| Iran | 135,000 | 106,000 | 200,000 |
| Turkey | 68,000 | 200,000 | 190,000 |
| Syria | 22,000 | 19,500 | 25,500 |
| Greece | 7,200 | 10,000 | 7,000 |
| Australia | 2,200 | 3,650 | 1,400 |
| Spain | 2,700 | 3,000 | 4,500 |
| Afghanistan | 5,900 | 2,360 | 2,500 |
| Italy | 1,000 | 1,200 | 1,200 |
| China | 1,200 | 600 | 500 |
| Total | 773,200 | 747,349 | 1,022,600 |
United States Leads the Way
This global production record is largely driven by the exceptional forecasted harvest in the United States, expected to reach 590,000 metric tons. Richard Motaian, President of the Pistachio Producers Association (APG), notes that this will be the third year in which US production surpasses the milestone of one billion pounds (equivalent to 454,000 metric tons).
A Look Ahead
The production projection for the 2023-24 season not only takes into account the anticipated harvest but also the current inventory estimated at 215,000 metric tons. As a result, this season is anticipated to have a total supply of 1,237,650 metric tons. During the current season, the global average consumption was 843,000 metric tons; however, a 4% increase is expected for the 2023-24 period, according to the INC.
Conclusion
This significant production increase follows two years of decreased harvest after the historic record set in the 2020-21 season. The current cycle was also characterized by being shorter in terms of production, so the elevated harvest is expected to occur in the 2023-24 season. Over the coming months, it will be interesting to observe how the global market manages this anticipated surplus in production. The pistachio industry is poised for a remarkable year ahead, with Spain and the United States leading the way in contributing to the second-largest global pistachio harvest in recent history.
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