Import of nuts to France in 2007

The U.S. is France’s number one source for tree nut imports. Almonds were France’s primary tree nut import from the U.S. in 2007, with pistachios at a distant second. U.S. nut exports to France also included hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, walnuts, cashews, and other nuts.

 

France’s market for tree nuts totaled almost US$ 428 million in 2007 with the U.S. garnering slightly more than a third of the total market, or about US$146 million. Last year was the first year in which French imports of U.S. tree nuts declined in volume, though the value has been declining since 2006. These declines are consistent with trends in France’s tree nut market overall, which has been shrinking for the last two years.

 

Between 2006 and 2007 imports of U.S. tree nuts to France decreased by 6.0% to 26,285 metric tons (MT). Spain is a distant second in total tree nut exports to France with 11,295 MT, while India is in third place with a total of 7,059 MT in 2007.

 

In the almond and pistachio markets, which represent the largest share of U.S. nut exports, competition is primarily from Spain in the almond market and Iran in the pistachio market.