Italy: Tree Nuts Annual 2016
Italy is the second largest EU-28 almond producer after Spain. Italy’s MY (marketing year) 2016 almond production is forecast to remain steady at approximately 20,000 metric tons (MT). Pistachio is a traditional crop in Italy, especially in the Sicily region (Bronte area) which accounts for approximately 90 percent of total supply. Pistachio trees production is cyclical, bearing heavily in alternate years. Therefore, after the extraordinary MY 2015 campaign, MY 2016 will be a ‘lower’ bearing year. Italy lost its walnut market leadership a few decades ago and now is a leading importer, mainly from the United States. Italy’s MY 2016 walnut production is preliminarily forecast to decrease to approximately 9,850 MT due to adverse weather. Quality is expected to be excellent and calibers good.
