Italy: Chestnut Market 2025

Chestnut Market Size in Italy

The Italian chestnut market declined slightly to $X in 2021, which is down by -3.5% against the previous year. Overall, consumption showed a perceptible slump. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Chestnut Production in Italy

In value terms, chestnut production dropped slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a noticeable contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the production volume increased by 15%. Chestnut production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

The average yield of chestnuts in Italy shrank modestly to X tons per ha in 2021, approximately reflecting the year before. Over the period under review, the yield saw a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 3.4%. Over the period under review, the average chestnut yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, the total area harvested in terms of chestnuts production in Italy shrank slightly to X ha, flattening at the year before. In general, the total harvested area indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2021: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, chestnut harvested area increased by +69.2% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the harvested area increased by 65%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to chestnut production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2020, and then declined in the following year.

Chestnut Exports

Exports from Italy

After two years of growth, shipments abroad of chestnuts decreased by -17.8% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2020, and then declined significantly in the following year.

In value terms, chestnut exports dropped slightly to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons), Switzerland (X tons) and Austria (X tons) were the main destinations of chestnut exports from Italy, with a combined 62% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Switzerland (with a CAGR of +4.4%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, Germany ($X), Switzerland ($X) and Austria ($X) constituted the largest markets for chestnut exported from Italy worldwide, with a combined 69% share of total exports.

Among the main countries of destination, Germany, with a CAGR of +4.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average chestnut export price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 17% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Canada ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to France ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to France (+4.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Chestnut Imports

Imports into Italy

For the third consecutive year, Italy recorded decline in purchases abroad of chestnuts, which decreased by -15.3% to X tons in 2021. In general, imports, however, showed a slight expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 83% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, chestnut imports totaled $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, recorded a noticeable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 84% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Turkey (X tons), Greece (X tons) and Portugal (X tons) were the main suppliers of chestnut imports to Italy, with a combined 70% share of total imports. Spain, Chile, Bulgaria, Albania, Slovenia and France lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 29%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Bulgaria (with a CAGR of +84.9%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) constituted the largest supplier of chestnut to Italy, comprising 42% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Greece ($X), with a 21% share of total imports. It was followed by Portugal, with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from Turkey totaled +13.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Greece (+32.4% per year) and Portugal (-4.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average chestnut import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 21% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the average import price increased by 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Bulgaria ($X per ton), while the price for Slovenia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Greece (+1.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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