December Walnut Monthly Shipment Report:

December of 2016 compared to December  2015 Shipments- December   2016 shipments were +67,083 Inshell equivalent tons compared to 67,418 Inshell equivalent tons last year. Representing an increase of  less than 1.0%.   So basically flat

Year to date Shipments 2015/2016 vs. 2014/2015 Marketing Year- Inshell Equivalent Tonnage for the 2015/2016 crop is 357,476 compared to 277,559  last year.  Representing an increase  of + 79,917  inshell equivalent tons or +28%  !

 CROP RECEIPTS-  Receipts are 678,825  tons as of  December 31st  2016.  The CASS Crop Estimate was at 670,000 Inshell tons.

                                                                        

DOMESTIC SHIPMENTS: Year to Date: 9,545  Inshell tons compared to last year’s 10,570  inshell tons.  Representing an decrease  of (9%)!

EXPORT SHIPMENTS: Year to date: +309,952  inshell tons compared to last year’s of 219,295  inshell tons.  Representing an increase of +41% !

NOTABLE WALNUT SHIPMENTS BY COUNTRY OF DESTINATION

December  2015 / December 2016

Inshell:                                                                                 Shelled:

China: -19,27%                                                                 Germany:   +5.22%%

Vietnam:  31.96%                                                             Spain: + 43.45%

India: + 122.28%                                                             China: +93.40%

UAE: + 201.72%                                                                   UAE: + 82.83%

Pricing:    Prices continue to rise over the last few weeks on both inshell and kernels.   Most packers are very well sold on both Chandler/ Non- Chandler Kernels and Inshell.   A few packers are even reporting that they are getting very low on all inshell varieties and only have a few loads of shelling stock left to sell until they will be completely out.  Both Howard and Tulare Inshell are almost sold out for this year. 

LHP Chandler 80’s started out this season at the level of $3.50 per lbs  FAS and have now moved up to $3.80 per lbs FAS

J/L Chandler Inshell started out at $1.25 FAS in the beginning  of the season and have now moved up to $1.40-$1.45 FAS. 

Market has definitely strengthened on very good demand.

Market: The Non- Chandler variety color was very good this year and a lot of that material has either been committed or sold up to now.  Pricing  for both Chandler and Non- Chandler 20’s, 40’s and 80’s have increased the last few weeks with very few offers and a lot of demand coming from the United States  for both Q1 and Q2 shipments.  Turkey and India continue to buy both Jumbo and Jumbo/Large Chandler Inshell for shipments in January and February. Demand has been strong from both of those countries the last few weeks. Chinese New Year will start in late January and it is unknown at this time when they will be back in the market to buy both kernels and inshell.

We would recommend to look to book your needs for Q1 and Q2 at this time as it does seem this market is getting low on much of its inventory.