Introduction
Walnut exports forecasted for the year 1999- 2000 is 15,000
tons. The figure is more than the previous year. Major export
destinations, besides the EU, are Egypt and the United States. Most
plantations are of seedling origin and are in scattered form, which
produce nuts of variable quality.
Production area
Moist coniferous forests of the Eastern and Western Himalayas, Himachal
Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, hilly regions of North and South, the
Eastern hills, Uttar Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh are most suitable for
the growth of walnut. Total area under walnut is 67053 hectares with
annual production over 71758 metric tons.
Growth promotional activities
Given the high tariffs and strong domestic production, there are few
opportunities for imports. India’s 2001/02 walnut production is
forecast at 28,000 tons. Exports are expected to be around 14,000 tons.
The current year (2000/01) export estimate has been raised 11 percent to
15,500 tons, based on strong demand from the EU and the United States
(due to a smaller crop). Major export destinations during the Indian
fiscal years 1999 and 2000 were Spain, Egypt, Germany, Netherlands,
U.K., Greece, Italy, and the United States. There are no restrictions on
walnut exports and no government export subsidies.
Types
Persian walnut and
black walnut are the most important
temperate nut grown in India.
