After a bumper crop of pistachio, Turkey increases its exports by 26% in 2021 Q1

Pistachio Kernel

Turkiye

Market & Price Trends

Published Jun 8, 2021

Turkey MY 2020/21 pistachio production achieved 250,000 MT which is almost three times the previous season. The reason for this bumper crop is this year’s normal plant cycle and successful agriculture practices. The surge in production is pushing the export trend upwards. During the first quarter of the year, there was an increase of 26% compared to the previous year. Italy has been the main importer has been Italy with an increase of 52% in imports of shelled pistachio.

Turkey is one of the world-leading pistachio-producing countries, with two main varieties: the Gaziantep (Antep) and the Siirt. The Antep is smaller compared to the Iranian pistachio that is considered the best in the world, but it is very aromatic and sought after. The Siirt pistachio is a highly productive variety, with a stable yearly production with a standard quality level. The main producing regions in Turkey are concentrated in the Southern part, but recently the production in other regions started to grow. This expansion of production areas reduces the risk of crop losses caused by region-centered climatic events.

Pistachio production in Turkey is cyclic with an “on-year” with a high volume followed by an “off-year” of small yield. MY 2020/21 was an on-year with the harvesting period between August and October, achieving a record crop of 250,000 MT, almost three times the previous MY. The on-year is not the only reason for the surge in production, but a combination of crop management, irrigation, renewal of trees, increase in the planted area, and investments in research of shortening the time necessary for tree maturation has benefitted the increase in production volume. The renewal of older trees is essential to keep a high yield crop since younger trees bear more fruits and many Turkish trees are over 50 years old. Investments in research and development have also paid off, as today the trees can bear fruits at age of five instead of 10.

After the beginning of the season, the total export volumes are increasing more dramatically compared to the previous season. The total exports of the first quarter of 2021 are 26% higher than the first quarter of 2020, pushed by the larger availability of pistachios. The main increase in imports is observed from Italy that imported 52% more quantity of shelled pistachios during the first quarter, in comparison to with the same period of last year.

Source: Tridge, ITC

Italian imports of shelled pistachios have been on an upward trend with an annual 12% increase between 2016 and 2020. Most of the pistachios are consumed locally and about 7% is re-exported. The shelled pistachios are mostly used for private-label branding, and the other part as ingredients in sweets, pasta, and traditional desserts. An important part is also used for the production of pistachios ice creams, famous in Italy. Consumption does not seem to decrease and imports shall be high this year due to the bumper crop.