Indian almond imports, which come mainly from California, are expected to rise 8% this market year to 187,000 tonnes on a shelled basis, with roughly 89% of the shipments from the Golden State, according to a new report from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. Despite higher prices and tight supplies, India's appetite for nuts keeps growing as its own small production shrinks, and the report sees substantial room for more.
"Almonds are deeply embedded in Indian households as a health necessity and festival staple rather than a discretionary snack," wrote USDA agricultural specialist Radha Mani. Younger consumers treat them as an on-the-go snack; rising incomes, an expanding middle class, online grocery platforms, interest in plant-based diets and demand for almond sweets and breakfast cereals are all adding to consumption. India now ranks second in the world at 190,000 tonnes, behind only the United States; per-capita consumption has roughly doubled since 2019-20 but remains low by international standards. The country's healthy-snacks market grew from $2.47 billion in 2020 to $3.13 billion in 2025 and is expected to approach $4 billion by 2030.
India produces few almonds and walnuts and has no commercial pistachio harvest. Its almond crop is forecast to fall 2% to 3,900 tonnes on poor weather, ageing orchards, lower yields and the lack of a formal wholesale market, and many growers are switching to apples, which pay better and enjoy government support.
Walnut imports are forecast to jump 10% to 72,000 tonnes in the market year that runs from August to July, with Chile holding 39% of the market, Afghanistan 26% and the United States 21%; domestic walnut production is seen at 33,000 tonnes, down 1.5%, against consumption of 103,000 tonnes, up 8%.
Pistachio imports and consumption are both forecast to rise 10% to 55,000 tonnes. The United States is the largest supplier of in-shell pistachios at 37% of the market, followed by Iran at 33%, the former short on carry-over stocks and the latter facing shipping bottlenecks. Pistachio demand has risen 142% since 2019, and American pistachios are increasingly visible in organised retail, premium segments and online grocery channels.
Source: Capital Press
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