Pistachio Guide

The plantation of pistachio trees should be carried out 20 feet apart. This action would minimize overcrowding in that overcrowding of trees will reduce the quality and quantity of products and also makes it difficult during pruning and harvesting (NMSU, 2017). Since the trees rely on wind pollination, the ratio of male trees and female trees is 1 male to 15 females. Moreover, it is recommended that these trees should be planted in fertile soils (NMSU, 2017). Some producers use a square system to plant these trees while other farmers apply a triangular planting system also referred to as the hexagonal planting system. Farmers are also advised to apply a rectangular system (NMSU, 2017). The application of a triangular system enables 15 percent more trees planted per acre while maintaining space between the trees (NMSU, 2017). Other farmers also plant filler trees in places where land used for agriculture is expensive.

The steps include:

• Floral match between male and female pistachio trees is very crucial in reproducing a productive tree. For this purpose, proper biological pollination methods must be used.
• Grafting of rootstocks
• Fertilization
• Cutting and pruning
• Irrigation
• Harvesting
• Storing

According to 2020 data, the United States was the top pistachio exporter with an export value of USD 1,409,709K  and represented 53.7% of export value worldwide. This was followed by Iran with an export value of USD 675,035K (25.7%), Germany (4.6%) with an export value of USD 120,764K, Hong Kong (2.3%) with an export value of USD 92,904K, and the UAE (2.8%) with an export value of USD 74,581K. 

.According to 2019 data, Iran was the top pistachio producer with a production volume of 337.82K MT accounting for 37% of the total world production. This was followed by the United States with a production volume of 335.66K MT (36.8%), while China (%) was third with a production volume of 106.16K MT, Turkey (9.3%) fourth with a production volume of 85K MT, and Syria (3.5%) with a production volume of 31.81K MT

The Pistacia genus has 11 species. Some of the species play an important role in vegetation in the Mediterranean and Asian regions. While the Kerman variety accounts for about 99 percent of all pistachio production in California (AGROSTRAT, 2019). Here are some common varieties of pistachios:

• Kerman: Great size and good quality. Selected in Iran, it was introduced in the USA and it is also cultivated in Spain (in Castilla-La Mancha).
• Akbari: Super long pistachio that has the highest economic value among other varieties in Iran. Popular cultivar in Iran.
• Ahmad Aghaei/Aghaii: Long pistachio which is the newest commercial variety, very popular with the farmers. Popular cultivar in Iran.
• Kale Ghouchi: Jumbo pistachio. This cultivar is famous for being large. Popular cultivar in Iran.
• Red Aleppo: Smaller nut size, crisper kernel. Popular cultivar in Syria.
• Napoletana: Predominant variety in Sicily.
• Sirora: A variety with high vigor, and high production. Popular cultivar in Australia.
• Uzun: Pistachio nut of average size, long and clear green. It is cultivated in Turkey.
• Kirmizi: Pistachio nut of average size and reddish colour. Along with the cultivar Uzum, it is the most cultivated variety in Turkey.
• Batouri: Thick fruit of whitish colour and good quality. Important cultivar in Syria.
• Sefideh-Montaz and Imperiale de Dameghan: The fruit of these varieties is round, thick and yellowish. Very appreciated in Iran.
• Aegina: Medium size fruit, long and similar to Mateur. It comes from Greece and it also gives good results in Spain.

Sources:

Pistachio Cultivars

Pistachio Nut, Pistachia Vera / Anacardiaceae

Pistachio Market Guide

Pistachios develop in early summer and ripen in late August or September nearly everywhere in the world, with the exception of Australia. In that case, pistachio harvesting generally takes place in February. It’s easy to tell when the pistachio harvest season is getting closer because the hulls lose their green hue and take on a reddish-yellow tint.

The storing methods for pistachio are basically divided as follows:

Shelled

• Storing period must be a maximum of 12 months after the harvest
• Low humidity levels must be maintained at 50-60%
• Storage areas must be free from odors
• Storages must have a license for operating

In-Shell

• Storing period must be a maximum of 24 months after the harvest
• Low humidity levels must be maintained at 50-60%
• Storage areas must be free from odors
• Storages must have a license for operating

In general, there are three different ways for pistachio packaging practiced in Turkey:

• Air filling
• Nitrogen filling
• Vacuum packaging
• Weight varies from retail packaging type 80 gr to 5 kg boxes (inside in plastic bags with air, nitrogen or vacuum) for wholesale purposes

In the United States, the following methods are recommended:

The container that would be used to pack these nuts should be made from natural materials.

Suppose to avoid different colors in storing the nuts.

The container that is used to pack this product should be labeled such as the product name, nationality, brand, size, and weight should be outlined (Tavakolipour, 2015). It is illegal to apply a chemical storing technique the mixed containers.

Some export processes information to export the pistachios:

CHINA

• Foreign exports include quotation, order, payment method, stocking, packaging, customs, shipping, insurance, bill of lading, settlement.
  

      (Quote)

• The quality, specification, packaging requirements, quantity, delivery, material.
• The more commonly used quotations are FOB-free on board, CNF-cost and freight, CIF-cost, insurance, and freight.

      (Contract)

• Negotiates on the product name, specification, quantity, price, packaging, origin, shipping, payment terms, settlement, etc.
  

      (Payment terms)

• L/C: letter of credit, wire transfer (TT) and direct payment method.
  

      (Stocking)

• The quality and specifications of the goods shall be verified in accordance with the requirements of the contract.
• Quantity of goods: guarantee to meet the requirements of the number of contracts or letters of credit.
• Stocking time: in accordance with the provisions of the letter of credit, combined with the schedule of the ship, in order to facilitate the connection of cargo.

      (Packaging)

• General packaging standards
• Special packaging standards

      (Customs clearance)

      - Export commodities subject to statutory inspection.

• Acceptance
• Sampling
• Inspection
• Issuance certificate

      - Others

• List of boxes is the packing details
• Invoice
• Customs declaration letter
• Export verification form
• Commodity inspection certificate

      (Shipment)

• The entire container
• Assembling containers
• A packing list will be given to the customs broker.
• The container number, Sealing No. will be sealed.
• The packing list is given to the freight forwarding or shipping company so they can start the bill of landing.

      (Transportation insurance)

• Have agreed in advance on the transportation insurance when signing the purchase contract.
• Common insurances include marine cargo transportation insurance, land and air cargo transportation insurance, etc.
• Among them, the risks covered by the marine transport cargo insurance clause are divided into two categories: basic insurance and additional insurance.

      (Bill of Lading, B/L)

• The bill of lading is the document used to check the export customs clearance procedures and clearance.
  

      (Settlement)

• When goods are loaded, the company negotiate the settlement of foreign exchange within the validity period.
  

UNITED STATES

• Export License -- Electronically enter an Export Form Certificate number or a USDA-defined exemption code into the Automated Export System (AES)
• Destination Control Statement
• The U.S. Principal Party in Interest (USPPI)
• Certificate of Analysis
• Phytosanitary Certificate
• Certificates to the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
• Bill of Lading
• Packing list
• Shipment by sea or air cargo, train or truck
• Packer/warehouse can choose to export or they can sell to wholesalers.

TURKEY

• Export Declaration: This is a document prepared according to customs regulation and has to be attested by the related export union.
• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Bill of Lading
• Certificate of Origin
• A.TR Movement Certificate: This certificate applies to exports between Turkey and the EU only.
• Supplier's Declaration: It is a document presented together with A.TR Movement Certificate and applies to exports between Turkey and the EU only.
• EUR-MED Movement Certificate: This certificate is required by member states of Pan Euro-Mediterranean Cumulation.
• Phytosanitary Certificate
• Conformity Certificate
• Health Certificate stating the levels of aflatoxin (especially for exports to European Union countries) 

The key certificates for pistachio include:

• USDA Certified Organic
• Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
• Non-GMO certified
• Good Handling Practices (GHP)
• Commodity Inspection Certificate: domestic and export graded and processed commodities.
• Commodity Weight Certificate: domestic and export graded and processed commodities.
• Commodity Submitted Sample Inspection: commodity samples submitted by the applicant to official personnel for inspection.
• Official Commercial Sample Lot Inspection: when an applicant requests sample-lot services with modified procedures to accommodate the applicant's needs, however, sampling services by an official are provided, e.g., using an open-throated probe versus a compartmented probe (speed of sampling).
• Official Commercial Submitted Sample Inspection: same as previous with applicants sampling the lots themselves.
• ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System
• ISO 22000:2005 Food Safety Management System
• ISO 14000
• ITU Certificate (Good Agricultural Practices certificate is given within the GAP Program initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs)*

*Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) are the methods of achieving sustainable development in agricultural practices. GAP measures food safety, protecting the environment and soil, and the health, safety, and welfare of cultivators and agricultural workers.

• The "Regulation on Good Agricultural Practices" numbered 25577, which was firstly issued in Turkey on 08.09.2004, constituted the legal infrastructure of the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). Currently, GAP is carried out in our country in accordance with the provisions of the Regulation on the GAP, published in the Official Gazette dated 07.12.2010 and numbered 27778. GAP in Turkey, Ministry of Food Agriculture and Livestock which gives control and the authority of certification to private audit firms carries out the operation, applications to be monitored for agricultural production.  
  

The factors that determine pistachio quality include:

• Selection of rootstock to increase production volume, whole pistachio weight, mineral content.
• Application of deficit irrigation to increase overall product quality.
• Reduced water consumption during cultivation.
• Tree vigour, productivity and fruit, and kernels characteristics are also key elements determining the quality of pistachios.

Here are some related trade agreements information for pistachios:

China

China's free trade agreement (FTA)

• Maldives, Australia, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Singapore, Chile, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia, Laos, Georgia, Korea, Ice Land, Peru, New Zealand, Pakistan.
  

Currently in discussion

• United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Japan, Sri Lanka, Israel, Norway, Mauritius, Moldova, Panama.
  

China’s Free Trade Agreement

• The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is a legally binding contract between two or more countries and regional trade entities to promote economic integration and eliminate trade barriers (such as tariffs, Trade quotas, and priorities) allow goods and services to flow freely between countries. These agreement partners will form a free trade zone. Tariff reductions are available for goods from the partner countries of the agreement.

• In general, chapters in the FTA will include (but are not limited to) Preface, General Provisions/Definitions, Trade in Goods, Rules of Origin, Customs Procedures, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS), Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), Protection Measures, telecommunications, financial services, investment, natural person/business mobility, competition, government procurement, transparency, intellectual property rights, trade remedies, dispute resolution, exceptions, final clauses.

United States

• There is currently a free trade agreement with Australia, Bahrain, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Jordan, South Korea, Morocco, NAFTA, Nicaragua, Oman, Panama, Peru and Singapore.
  

Turkey

• There are maximum levels of aflatoxin content present in the imported pistachio determined by official food legislation bodies of Japan and EU countries

• Pistachios exported to Japan must have a maximum value of 10 MG/KG of aflatoxin

• Customs Union Trade Agreement between Turkey and EU member countries: This agreement gives access to free movement to export goods from Turkey to EU and from EU to Turkey, without incurring any customs tax.

• Regarding trade deals with countries outside of EU, Turkey has signed Free Trade Agreements with numerous countries such as; EFTA (Switzerland, Norway, Iceland), Israel, Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Morocco, Tunisia, Palestine, Syria, Egypt, Georgia, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, Chile, Jordan, South Korea, Malaysia, Moldova, Faroe Islands, Singapore, Ghana, *Kosovo (*Preferential Regime Applications are available for Kosovo Unilaterally Recognized by Turkey).