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