Demand in the pistachio market is running hot. Shipments reached 88.4 million pounds in September, 40.2% more than a year earlier and well above the five-year average of 65 million pounds, according to ofi. Exports drove the gain, up 64.3% on strong shipments to Europe, Vietnam and Hong Kong, India and Turkey, while domestic shipments fell 8.1% and trailed their five-year average.
That demand is meeting a much smaller crop. Most processors expect the 2026 crop to finish at or below 700 million pounds, about 56% less than in 2025. Buyers moved in aggressively once opening inshell prices were released, and demand has held up despite historically high prices, while limited processor offers keep the market firm. ofi notes that the market still has to prove it can sustain consumption at these price points, and that many expect 2027 to be an “on” year with larger supply.
Almonds show a similar split between export and home markets. September shipments rose 17.9%, with exports up 28% on festive-season buying from India and China, but domestic shipments were the lowest for the month in more than ten years. Uncommitted inventory is 28.5% higher than a year ago, even with the crop expected to come in below last season.
Read the full nuts market analysis here.
