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The tree nut market in Bulgaria had a slow, but stable recovery in marketing year (MY) 2021/22 due to reopening of the food service industry and an improved tourist and travel season. However, economic challenges, food inflation, and high energy prices have negatively affected the demand for higher-end nuts.

On October 13, the Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) opened a public comment period for the proposed revision to allergy labeling requirements for walnuts in Japan’s Food Labeling Standards. CAA will accept comments in Japanese through November 12, 2022.

China’s inshell walnut production is forecast to increase by 27 percent in marketing year (MY) 2022/23, largely because of a production rebound in western China. Despite uncertainties over an economic slowdown and ongoing COVID restrictions, China’s almond imports are expected to pick up in MY 2022/23, given increased supplies and competitive prices.

Good weather conditions and an “on-year” for production will push Turkey's pistachio production higher in MY 2022/23. The production of almonds and hazelnuts is likewise forecast higher, while walnut production is expected to remain steady.

In 2021, the European Union (EU)-27 imported $7.1 billion in tree nuts from the world. The United States, with $2.5 billion, is the largest EU-27 tree nuts supplier, accounting for 35 percent of total imports.

FAS New Delhi (Post) forecasts marketing year (MY) 2022/23 (August-July) Indian almond imports (shelled-basis) at 148,000 metric tons (MT) a slight decrease from MY 2021/22, as food inflation volatility, rupee depreciation, and global shipping challenges are likely to persist in the near term, impacting price.

Interactive Tableau visualization showing the percentage of exported agricultural production for 25 top commodities.

Malaysia was the 25th largest export destination for U.S. agricultural products in 2021 and is a top prospect for exports of food and beverage ingredients because of its large and growing food processing industry. Food and beverages manufactured in Malaysia not only serve domestic consumers but are also exported to many neighboring countries. U.S. exporters of dairy products, fresh and processed potatoes, food-grade soy, processed fruit and juices, tree nuts and more have many opportunities to supply Malaysian industry which depends on imports for key ingredients and inputs, and in doing so will reach consumers across Malaysia and throughout Southeast Asia.

U.S. exporters can find ample opportunities in the Iberian Peninsula. Spain is the third-largest European Union (EU) destination for U.S. agricultural products, with Portugal ranking 11th. In 2021, the United States exported $1.6 billion of agricultural products to Spain, or 15 percent of total U.S. agricultural exports to the EU. The United States held a 4 percent market share of Spain’s agricultural imports and 2 percent market share in Portugal, behind other EU member states as a group and Brazil.

Post projects Ukraine’s walnut production decreasing to 95,500 metric tons (MT) for marketing year (MY) 2022/23 based on a combination of suboptimal weather conditions and some production areas in Russian occupied areas. Exports were slow for two consecutive marketing years (MY) in a row: MY2020/21 – because of quality issues and administrative barriers by Turkey; and MY2021/22 – due to constrained logistics stemming from Russia’s invasion.

For marketing year (MY) 2022/23, Post estimates 165,000 metric tons (MT) of walnut production, a 7.8 percent increase from MY 2021/22 following an increase in area planted and higher yields. Walnut exports are projected at 162,500 MT in-shell basis, which represents a 7.6 percent increase over MY2021/22.

On June 17, 2022, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare MoHFW)/Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued direction F. No: STD/SP_08/A1.2022/N-01-Part (1) to operationalize the draft Food Safety and Standards (Labeling and Display) Amendment Regulations (2022).