Iran holds narrow lead over US in China pistachio market
Iran narrowly held the lead over the United States in China’s pistachio market in the first half of 2026, accounting for 50% of imports compared with 47% for the United States, even as the value of Iranian shipments to China took a tumble, according to trade data reported by IRIBNEWS on Sunday.
Iran exported about 3,935 metric tons of pistachios worth $32 million to China in the first six months of 2026, down 70% in value from the $109 million recorded in the same period a year earlier.
Despite the sharp decline, Iran captured 50% of China’s $64 million pistachio import market.
The United States came second, with a 47% share of the Chinese market. US pistachio exports to China also fell during the period, declining 53%.
Meanwhile, Iran’s pistachio exports to the European Union increased, indicating stronger shipments to Western markets as demand weakened in East Asia.
Iran’s pistachio exports to the European Union climbed 6% in the first half of 2026 to €33.94 million, according to Eurostat data, while overall trade between Iran and the bloc dropped 26% to €952 million.
Iran’s pistachio exports to the EU totaled €31.85 million in the first half of 2025.
Germany remained the largest European market for Iranian pistachios, importing €24.38 million worth in the first half of 2026, accounting for 70% of Iran’s total pistachio exports to the EU. German imports of Iranian pistachios slid 3% year-on-year.