UNSD - Value-Added Vegetables Indicator Framework
The United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), monitors the economic health of the agricultural sector. As of 2026, "Value-Added" metrics have become the gold standard for distinguishing between countries that merely grow raw crops and those that drive GDP through industrial processing and high-tech cultivation.
The following table synthesizes 2025/26 production forecasts (shelled/kernel basis) with estimated market values and export revenues.
| Rank | Country | Primary Nut Focus | Est. Production Value (USD) | Key Value-Added Driver |
| 1 | United States | Almonds, Pistachios | $10.5 Billion | Advanced mechanization & global export dominance (80% of almonds). |
| 2 | China | Walnuts, Peanuts | $9.2 Billion | Massive internal market; Xinjiang's high-yield walnut orchards. |
| 3 | Turkey | Hazelnuts | $3.8 Billion | Strategic control of 70% of global supply for confectionery. |
| 4 | Vietnam | Cashews | $3.5 Billion | Leading global "processing hub" for raw nuts imported from Africa. |
| 5 | India | Peanuts, Cashews | $3.1 Billion | Rapidly growing domestic consumption and peanut-oil extraction. |
| 6 | Côte d'Ivoire | Cashews | $1.8 Billion | Shifting from raw exports to domestic shelling and processing. |
| 7 | Australia | Macadamias | $1.2 Billion | High unit value; premium global positioning for macadamia kernels. |
| 8 | Spain | Almonds | $0.9 Billion | Leading EU producer; high GVA through organic and gourmet certification. |
Under the System of National Accounts (SNA) used by the UNSD, the transition from a "farm gate" price to "value added" is critical for a nation's GDP.
Primary Value Added: Occurs during the harvest (ISIC Rev. 4, Division 01).
Secondary Value Added: Occurs during processing—roasting, blanching, and flavoring.
Example: Vietnam produces roughly 1 million tons of cashews but processes nearly 3 million tons by importing raw nuts, thereby generating a disproportionately high Manufacturing Value Added (MVA).
Alternate Bearing Cycles: 2025/26 is an "on-year" for Pistachios in Turkey and Iran, leading to a record global supply of 1.2 million metric tons.
Almond Expansion: Global almond output is reaching record highs (approx. 1.8 million metric tons), with the U.S. and Spain leading in yield-per-hectare efficiency.
Sustainability Premiums: In the EU market, "traceable" and "sustainably sourced" nuts now command a 15–20% premium, increasing the GVA for compliant producers.
To obtain the most granular data for a specific country:
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Consult FAOSTAT: Use the "Value of Agricultural Production" tool and select "Treenuts, total" to isolate the crop-specific dollar value.
Check UN Comtrade: Search for HS Code 0802 (Other nuts, fresh or dried) to view the total trade value by reporting country.
Economic Forecast: The global nut market is projected to reach $73.17 billion by the end of 2026, driven largely by the shift toward plant-based diets and functional snacking in Asia and North America.
By 2026, the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) has noted a significant shift in how nations report agricultural wealth. Success is no longer measured solely by the tonnage of raw harvests but by the complexity of the Value-Added Form. Moving from raw kernels to functional ingredients allows countries to multiply their Gross Value Added (GVA) and insulate their economies from climate-driven crop failures.
The following table compares the economic weight of various nut forms. As of 2026, while "Whole Kernels" still command the highest total volume, "Ingredient Forms" (milks, flours, and pastes) are growing at nearly double the rate of raw commodities.
| Value-Added Form | Est. Global Market Value (2026) | Growth Rate (CAGR) | Dominant Nut Types | Primary Economic Benefit |
| Whole & Roasted Kernels | $42.8 Billion | 4.2% | Peanuts, Almonds, Cashews | High-volume retail and traditional snacking stability. |
| Nut Ingredients (Pieces/Powder) | $27.7 Billion | 6.2% | Almonds, Walnuts, Hazelnuts | High B2B demand for bakery and confectionery sectors. |
| Nut Milks & Dairy Alts | $13.2 Billion | 8.7% | Almonds, Cashews, Macadamias | Highest "per-unit" value increase; plant-based surge. |
| Nut Butters & Pastes | $4.9 Billion | 8.0% | Peanuts, Hazelnuts, Almonds | Essential for spreads (e.g., hazelnut chocolate) and RTE snacks. |
| Specialty Nut Oils | $2.4 Billion | 7.3% | Walnuts, Peanuts, Pistachios | Diversification into premium culinary and cosmetic markets. |
The transition between forms acts as an economic "multiplier." For instance, in Vietnam, a ton of raw cashews has a base export value, but once processed into Value-Added Forms, the GVA increases as follows:
Raw In-Shell: Base Price ($X$)
Shelled/Blanched Kernels: $1.5 \times$ Base Price
Roasted & Flavored Snacks: $2.2 \times$ Base Price
Cashew Butter/Puree: $3.5 \times$ Base Price
In the United States (California), the almond industry has successfully pivoted to the Almond Ingredient model. By 2026, the market for almond-specific flours and milks alone is valued at over $13 billion, making it one of the most profitable diversified agricultural sectors in the world.
The UNSD monitors the "complexity" of a nation's nut exports through specialized data codes:
SITC 057.79 (Prepared/Preserved Nuts): High revenue in this category indicates a country is successfully processing its own crops rather than exporting raw materials.
MVA (Manufacturing Value Added): Tracks the energy and labor efficiency of nut-processing plants. In 2026, India and Turkey have shown the highest MVA growth due to the integration of solar-powered roasting facilities.
Resource Efficiency: New for 2026, the UNSD tracks "By-product Valorization"—the economic value extracted from nut shells and skins (e.g., cashew shell liquid for industrial resins), which now adds an average of $450 million annually to global producer sales.
Flavor Architectures: Brands are moving beyond "Salted" to complex "limited-edition" flavors (e.g., Truffle, Honey Sea Salt, and Chili Lime), which command a 15–18% price premium.
Portion Control: "Daily Nutrition Pouches" (28g–30g) have become the fastest-growing packaging form, allowing processors to sell nuts at a higher "price-per-gram" compared to bulk bags.
Traceability Premiums: With new EU deforestation-free and sustainability mandates, nuts with Blockchain-enabled origin tracing are achieving a 5–10% higher export value on the global market.
Economic Summary: The total nut products market is projected to reach $73.17 billion by the end of 2026, with diversified forms (milks, butters, and ingredients) accounting for nearly 40% of the total revenue.
In 2026, the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) has identified a pivotal shift in agricultural economics: the "Processing Pivot." Growth is no longer dominated by countries that simply harvest the most nuts, but by those rapidly expanding their Manufacturing Value Added (MVA) through domestic shelling, roasting, and ingredient production.
The following nations are leading the 2025/26 cycle in terms of the rate at which they are converting raw crops into high-value exports. These figures reflect the estimated market value of processed nut products.
| Rank | Country | Primary Growth Driver | Est. Value-Added Revenue (2026) | Annual Growth Rate |
| 1 | Côte d’Ivoire | Industrial Cashew Shelling | $623 Million | +38% |
| 2 | Cambodia | Large-Nut Varieties & RTE | $1.5 Billion | +30% |
| 3 | Tanzania | Government-led Processing | $450 Million | +19% |
| 4 | Vietnam | AI-Guided Sorting & Ingredients | $4.4 Billion | +13% |
| 5 | Benin | Integrated Supply Chain | $210 Million | +9% |
| 6 | Chile | Organic Walnut Kernels | $110 Million | +7% |
Côte d’Ivoire is currently the world’s fastest-growing value-added producer. By suspending raw nut exports and commissioning over 37 new processing plants, the country has nearly doubled its domestic capacity.
Economic Impact: The transition from raw nuts to kernels has increased Ivorian export revenue by 67% year-on-year, providing higher stable incomes for over 150,000 workers.
Cambodia has emerged as a major challenger to traditional hubs. With over 700,000 hectares of cashew plantations, it is now diversifying into high-value "Climate-Resilient" cultivars that command higher prices in Japanese and European markets.
Value Multiplier: Cambodia’s export value reached $1.5 billion in early 2026, driven by a 27% increase in volume and a surge in farm-gate prices.
The UNSD tracks these fast-growing nations through three core metrics:
SITC Rev. 4 (Code 057.79): Measures the trade of "Prepared or Preserved" nuts. A higher ratio in this category vs. raw nuts (057.71) indicates a country is successfully capturing more of the global profit margin.
Manufacturing Value Added (MVA): Reflects the technological upgrade of a nation’s food sector. Vietnam leads in this metric, utilizing advanced automation to remain competitive despite rising labor costs.
Net Farm Income: High-growth countries in 2026 are those that have successfully reduced the "middleman" gap, ensuring that value-added profits reach the smallholder farmers.
Origin Processing: European and North American brands are increasingly signing direct-from-origin contracts with West African processors to meet new Sustainability and Traceability regulations.
The "Snackification" of India: India’s domestic processing value is growing at 5–7% as the middle class shifts toward packaged, flavored cashews and peanuts as daily health snacks.
Bio-Resource Upcycling: Benin and Ghana are leading in "Zero-Waste" processing, turning cashew shells into industrial resins (CNSL) and bio-energy, adding an extra $50–$100 per ton to the total production value.
Economic Forecast: The global nut market is expected to reach $65.18 billion by the end of 2026, with the "Value-Added" segment (processed kernels and ingredients) outperforming raw commodity growth by a factor of two.
In 2026, the transition from raw nut exportation to domestic "Value-Added" processing has become the primary economic strategy for major producing nations. These projects are designed to retain more of the global market value within the country of origin, creating industrial jobs and diversifying national GDP.
Historically, West Africa produced most of the world's raw cashew nuts but processed less than 10%. By 2026, multi-million dollar industrial parks are reversing this trend.
| Country | Project Highlight | 2026 Milestone |
| Côte d’Ivoire | Kpouèbo Processing Unit | A $27 million facility launched by Robust International; processes 120 tons per day into kernels and cashew shell liquid (CNSL). |
| Tanzania | Maranje Agro-Industrial Park | Partnership with Arise to build a cluster targeting a 600,000-ton annual processing capacity in the Mtwara region. |
| Benin | GDIZ Industrial Zone | Integration of five new processing plants within the Glo-Djigbé zone, supported by a ban on raw nut exports to force local value addition. |
| Nigeria | Kogi Cashew Hub | Implementation of a new "Procurement and Trade Policy" to secure $500 million in direct-to-factory revenue for 2026. |
In Asia, the focus has shifted from manual labor to high-tech "Smart Factories" and the cultivation of premium, large-size nut varieties.
Vietnam remains the world's processing leader, now moving into the RAV 2026 (Robotics & Automation Vietnam) phase.
AI Optical Sorting: New 2026 projects use deep-learning sensors (like the TOMRA 4C) to detect defects and foreign materials with 99% accuracy, drastically reducing waste.
Ingredient Diversification: Local projects are shifting from whole kernels to nut-based ingredients (pastes, flours, and milks) for the global bakery sector.
Cambodia is no longer just a "raw material" feeder for Vietnam. Under the National Cashew Policy 2022-2027, it is becoming a processing power.
Export Expansion: In early 2026, Cambodia’s export value for processed nuts reached $1.5 billion, driven by the high-yielding "M23" large-nut variety.
Incentive Projects: The government has allocated over $60 million in subsidized loans for entrepreneurs to build local shelling and peeling units.
Chile and Brazil are focusing on "Value-Added" through certification and advanced orchard management.
Chile (Organic & Traceability): 2026 initiatives have focused on GPS-enabled harvesting and blockchain traceability for walnuts. Organic walnut acreage grew by 18% this year to meet premium EU demand.
Brazil (Dwarf Clone Project): Ongoing replacement of traditional cashew trees with "early-dwarf" clones that allow for mechanical harvesting and consistent nut size, doubling the efficiency of local processing lines.
Successful value-added projects are measured against these three metrics:
Manufacturing Value Added (MVA): The percentage increase in value from a raw nut to a consumer-ready product (typically +120% to +300%).
By-product Utilization: The conversion of waste (shells/hulls) into bio-energy or industrial resins, adding an average of $100 per ton to total revenue.
Local Job Creation: Large-scale projects in Tanzania and Côte d’Ivoire are expected to sustain over 500,000 industrial jobs collectively by the end of 2026.
Economic Note: Côte d’Ivoire's cashew kernel sales alone are projected to hit $623 million in 2026, reflecting the massive success of their processing-localization strategy.
In 2026, the global trade for value-added nuts is shifting from bulk shipments of raw materials to highly specialized, processed goods. As developing nations increase their domestic processing power, the "Destination Country" profile has evolved: Europe and North America remain the leaders in the consumption of high-tech nut derivatives, while the Asia-Pacific region has emerged as the global engine for ready-to-eat (RTE) innovation.
The value of imports in these countries is driven by "Value-Added" demand—specifically in the segments of plant-based milks, nut-based confectionery, and functional snacks.
| Rank | Destination Country | Primary Value-Added Demand | Est. Import Value (2026) |
| 1 | United States | Nut butters, plant-based dairy, protein bars. | $5.67 Billion |
| 2 | China | "Daily Nut" health packs, flavored macadamias. | $3.10 Billion |
| 3 | Germany | Confectionery pastes (hazelnut/marzipan), flours. | $2.50 Billion |
| 4 | Netherlands | European "Re-export" hub; specialized packing. | $1.30 Billion |
| 5 | India | Gifting-grade processed cashews/almonds. | $1.25 Billion |
| 6 | South Korea | Cosmetic nut oils and high-end functional foods. | $0.95 Billion |
The nature of the "Value Added" differs significantly depending on the destination market's economic and cultural profile.
Germany and the Netherlands act as the world’s primary destination for nut ingredients.
Confectionery: Germany is the top destination for hazelnut and almond pastes used in industrial chocolate manufacturing.
The Gateway Effect: The Netherlands (Rotterdam) serves as the entry point for 40% of Europe’s nut imports, adding value through European-standard quality testing, specialized blanching, and regional distribution.
China and India have moved from being bulk importers to demanding high-value, consumer-ready products.
Daily Nut Packs: A major trend in 2026, where China imports specific mixes to package into 25g-30g daily health servings.
Flavor Innovation: Demand in this region has shifted toward "fusion" flavors like chili-lime, honey-butter, and wasabi, creating a high-margin retail segment for exporters.
The Middle East Luxury Market: The UAE and Saudi Arabia are seeing a 6.4% CAGR in nut products, driven by the expansion of the luxury hospitality sector and high-end gifting.
Traceability Standards: As of 2026, the EU is the leading destination for "Certified Sustainable" nuts. Importers in this region now pay a 10–15% premium for nuts with blockchain-verified, deforestation-free origin stories.
Online Distribution: Destination countries in Asia are seeing "E-commerce First" growth, where subscription-based nut boxes are outperforming traditional retail sales in Tier-I and Tier-II cities.
The global nut industry in 2026 is no longer a simple story of growers and buyers. It is a complex value chain where "Destination Countries" are increasingly defined by their industrial capacity to integrate nuts into the broader food and wellness ecosystem.
While the United States and Europe maintain the highest total market value through established industrial and retail channels, the Asia-Pacific region (led by China and India) is the fastest-growing frontier. For producers, the highest "Value-Added" opportunity lies in moving beyond the raw kernel and targeting the specific functional and cultural needs of these destination hubs—whether through dairy-free alternatives in the West or premiumized healthy snacks in the East.