Dry fruit imports surge on strong domestic demand
26-Nov-2025 12:24 PM
Mumbai. While demand and consumption for all types of dry fruits are growing rapidly in India, tree nuts (tree nuts), including almonds, walnuts, and pistachios, are gaining more traction.
According to the latest report from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), India imported 17.8 million tons of almonds during 2024-25, which is expected to increase to 18.0 million tons in the current year, 2025-26.
According to trade analysts, India's gross imports of tree nuts, including almonds, walnuts, and pistachios, are expected to increase by approximately 7 percent during the current marketing season, which begins in September 2025 and ends in August 2026, compared to the 2024-25 season.
Factors such as population growth and rising incomes, as well as increasing health awareness, are driving the increase in dry fruit imports. Tree nuts are highly nutritious. India's total almond consumption is estimated to reach 18.4 million tons in 2025-26.
Global almond production is projected to increase by 9 percent, or 14.7 million tons, from 16.3 million tons last year to 17.77 million tons in the current year.
The United States is the leading producer, where production is expected to increase by approximately 10 percent from last year's 12.38 million tons to 13.60 million tons this year.
According to a USDA report, India's total import of walnuts on a shelled basis, i.e., with the shell intact, is expected to jump by approximately 20 percent from last year's 62,600 tons to 75,000 tons this year.
Imports will increase due to a decline in domestic production and increased demand and consumption. Walnut production in India is projected to decline from 34,000 tons last year to 33,500 tons this year.
On the other hand, its domestic consumption is expected to increase by 3.5 percent from 99,500 tons to 1.03 lakh tons.
As far as pistachio is concerned, USDA has estimated its consumption in India to increase by 12 percent from 45,000 tons last year to 50,500 tons in 2025-26.
Pistachio production in India is negligible, hence almost all the domestic requirement is imported from America and some other countries including Iran.