During the 2022-23 marketing year, Turkey, India, and Italy emerged as the leading importers of Chilean walnuts. The Chilean walnut export industry focused on expanding in India, resulting in a 108% increase in exports, making India the largest market for in-shell walnuts, surpassing Turkey. The trade value rose to $125.48 million, up from $64.28 million between 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, marking a 95.2% increase.
Californian walnut trade value, post-tariff removal, increased from 1,496 metric tons in January 2023 to 3,538 metric tons in January 2024. This affected the demand for Kashmiri walnuts, leading to losses for Kashmiri traders.
In 2023-24, India exported 638.07 metric tons of walnuts to various countries, including the Netherlands and the UK. This export volume is marginal compared to India’s total walnut production and imports.
Data from the Jammu and Kashmir Horticulture Department shows walnut production in Kashmir decreased to 1,80,973 MT in 2019-2020 from 1,95,066 MT in 2018-2019. Dr. Imtiyaz Wani stressed the need for tariffs on foreign walnut imports to protect Kashmir’s rural economy, noting that many farmers rely on walnut farming for income.
Walnut cultivation in Jammu and Kashmir covered 95,601 hectares in 2021, with significant areas in Anantnag, Budgam, and Pulwama districts. Baramulla district recorded the highest productivity in Kashmir.
Under the Jammu and Kashmir Preservation of Specified Trees Act, 1969, walnut trees require permission for felling or pruning. Environmental lawyer Nadeem Qadri highlighted the impact of development on these trees. Wani suggested government support for walnut farmers and regulation of imports.
Despite a GST reduction from 12% to 5%, growers remain dissatisfied, demanding its removal. Farmers and experts advocate for a Geographical Indication (GI) tag to boost the Kashmiri walnut industry. Wani emphasized the need for infrastructure improvements and grading machines to aid the industry.