In 2024-2025, Ukraine ranked fourth in the world in walnut production, growing about 101,000 tons, second only to China, the US, and Chile, according to a study by the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) entitled “The Nut Industry of Ukraine.”
Analysts noted that in 2023, Ukrainian walnut exports were estimated at $77 million. At the same time, the industry has only just begun to commercialize. Until now, it has been quite informal, with over 95% of walnuts grown in private households.
“This is a unique production model, completely opposite to, for example, the American model, which uses large industrial orchards in the US,” the experts noted.
According to KSE researchers, support from the state and donors could significantly expand the industry. For example, the “eRobota” grant program, which covers up to 70% of the costs of planting orchards, has already directed billions of hryvnia into nut crops, making them one of the most supported horticultural sectors. Previous experience gives an optimistic outlook for expansion, with almost 6,000 hectares of new orchards planted with state subsidies between 2018 and 2023.
Analysts note that the environmental friendliness of nuts creates an additional advantage for their export. The crop has a low carbon footprint during cultivation — 0.76 kg CO₂/kg compared to 3.56 kg CO₂/kg for almonds. This means that walnuts can be positioned as a climate-friendly superfood, the study concludes.
Analysts also noted that the export value of nuts increases approximately fourfold due to processing. Shelled nuts are sold at almost four times the price of unshelled nuts, and in 2023, they accounted for 72% of Ukrainian walnut exports. The main markets are the EU (58% of revenue), Turkey, France, and Romania.
According to the researchers, in order to accelerate the development of the sector and increase exporters’ profits, two problems must be solved first: the shortage of high-quality seedlings and low production and storage standards, which affect product quality.
Experts noted that importing seedlings will not solve the first problem. Seedlings imported from France and Moldova generally do not take root well in Ukrainian soil. Another issue is mold and toxins, which form as a result of uneven drying or improper storage and are a key barrier to increasing the industry’s efficiency and deeper integration into the EU.
“Walnuts are one of Ukraine’s most promising export crops. They could become the flagship product of Ukraine’s agricultural integration into the EU. Even despite the war, fragmented production, and political challenges, our producers are able to compete with leading European producers. To do this, entrepreneurs need to be provided with seedlings and advice. At the same time, the industry must be brought into line with EU requirements,” KSE concluded.
HarvEast intends to increase the irrigated area by 500-800 hectares next year and plant walnuts on an area of about 30-40 hectares.
“We will continue to invest in irrigation, we are pleased with the results on the 1,100 hectares that are now under irrigation. Next year we will add 500 or 800 hectares. In addition, we continue to develop walnut growing: this year we’ve planted 30 hectares, we have a total of 90 hectares, and we plan to plant 30-40 hectares annually,” HarvEast Director General Dmytro Skorniakov told Interfax-Ukraine.
According to him, the company does not set a goal to increase its land bank, but if there is an interesting offer, it is possible.
“In general, this year it is probably the worst year in the last 20-30 years in southern Ukraine. For us, respectively, it is the worst year in the entire history of the company in terms of harvest. We have already harvested the whole crop, but there are no final data yet,” he said.
HarvEast is an agricultural holding, whose core business is plant growing (growing wheat, sunflower, barley, etc.) and dairy farming. It cultivates about 97,000 hectares of land.
