The pistachio market - Italy (2024)

1.2 The global market

The global pistachios market reached about USD *.** billion in ****. The market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (***) of *.*% between **** and ****, reaching a value of about USD *.** billion by ****. This represents an overall increase of **.*% over the period. Global pistachio market value World, ****-****, in US$ billion ExpertMarketResearch Pistachios are healthy seeds of pistachio trees, rich in various nutrients, fiber, protein and antioxidants. They are known to support immune, cardiovascular and intestinal health, as well as help with weight management. Their distinctive flavor makes them particularly suitable for use in foods, beverages, and baked goods, among others. One of the main factors fueling the development of the pistachio market is the growing interest in health and wellness. This, along with the growing trend toward plant-based proteins, has increased the popularity of pistachios. In addition, increased awareness regarding the health benefits and high antioxidant content of pistachios has contributed significantly to the growth in demand. Because of their versatility, pistachios are used in a wide range of foods and beverages, from salmon crusts to pistachio milks. The increase in the vegan population, along with the growing demand for plant-based milks, is further supporting the demand for pistachios. The trend ...

1.3 The European market

With a compound annual growth rate (***) of *.** percent, the European pistachio market will grow from $****.** billion in **** to $****.** billion in ****. This represents an overall increase of **.*%.

European pistachios market forecast Europe, ****-****, in US$ billion CoherentMarketInsights

1.4 The Italian market

The forecast of the Italian market for nuts, seeds and mixes between **** and **** indicates steady growth. The projected value in **** is ***.* million, with a gradual increase bringing the market to ****.* million in ****, marking an increase of **.* percent at a CAGR like Europe of *.** percent. Italian market forecast for nuts (***), seeds and mixtures otherwise prepared or preserved Italy, ****-****, in millions of € Istat, CoherentMarketInsights

Between **** and ****, the value of production sold of nuts, seeds, and mixes in Italy showed a seesaw trend, rising from €***.* million in **** to a peak of €****.* million in ****, and then declining and stabilizing at lower levels. In ****, the value stands at ***.* million, up ***.* percent from ****, but down ** percent from the **** peak.

Value of production sold of nuts (***), seeds and mixtures otherwise prepared or preserved [***] Italy, ****-****, in millions of € Istat

1.5 Imports and Exports

From **** to ****, Italy showed significant growth in pistachio imports, rising from ***.** million in **** to ***.** million in ****, an increase of ** percent. Exports, on the other hand, have been more erratic, culminating in **** with **.** million euros, then falling to **.** million in ****. The coverage rate, which measures the ability of exports to cover imports, declined gradually to reach *.*** in ****.

Pistachio imports, exports and coverage rate Italy, ****-****, in millions of € IsmeaMarkets

In ****, France was the main destination market for Italian exports of shelled pistachios, absorbing more than half of the total (***) followed at a distance, showing a strong concentration of exports to a few countries. The remaining markets, including Belgium, Switzerland, Japan, the UK and the Netherlands, account for smaller shares, ranging from *.** percent to *.** percent. Finally, the "Others" group covers **.** percent, indicating a dispersion over several smaller markets. Main destination countries for shelled pistachio exports Italy, ****, in % IsmeaMarkets

In ****, the United States was the main source of shelled pistachios imports for Italy, covering **.** percent of the total. Turkey, with **.** percent, and Germany, with **.** percent, followed as other relevant suppliers. Countries such as Spain (***) have similar shares. The "Others" group accounts for *.** percent. Main countries of origin for imports of shelled pistachios Italy, ****, in ...

1.6 Inflation suffered by the sector

In recent years, the pistachio sector in Italy has faced a major challenge: inflation. This phenomenon has impacted the entire supply chain, from the field to the final consumer, bringing with it a number of issues that have required adjustments and strategies to continue operating successfully.

For starters, producers have seen production costs rise. Rising prices of raw materials, energy and labor have made it much more expensive to grow pistachios. In particular, the cost of water, which is needed to irrigate plantations, has risen sharply due to scarcity and rising energy tariffs. Fertilizers and plant protection products, much of which are derived from oil or other expensive resources, have also risen in price, putting further pressure on farm budgets.

Another problem has been the difficulty in procuring some of the equipment and technology needed for processing and processing pistachios. The global supply chain crisis, combined with rising transportation costs, has slowed innovation, making it more difficult for producers to maintain high efficiency.

These increases have inevitably spilled over into consumer prices. Pistachios, already considered a nonessential product, have experienced increases that have made them less affordable to an ever-widening segment of the population. This has caused a decline in demand, ...

2.1 Overview of demand

From **** to ****, the average monthly expenditure of Italian households on nuts or shelled fruits increased until ****, rising from €*.** to €*.**, representing a growth of **.* percent in four years. However, there has been a decline since ****, with a significant decrease in ****, when the average expenditure fell to €*.**, representing a **.* percent contraction from ****.

Average monthly household expenditure on dried fruits and nuts Italy, ****-****, € Istat

From **** to ****, the production of prepared or preserved nuts and seeds in Italy showed significant fluctuations. In ****, production peaked at ***.* thousand tons, an increase of *** percent from the initial level of **.* thousand tons in ****. However, in the following two years, production declined, stabilizing at lower levels than the peak, with a slight increase in **** and a new decrease to ***.* thousand tons in ****. Overall, from **** to ****, production increased by *** percent.

Realized production of [***] Nuts (***), seeds and mixtures otherwise prepared or preserved Italy, ****-****, in thousands of tons Istat

Between **** and ****, the production sold of nuts and seeds prepared or preserved in Italy showed wide annual variations. **** marked a peak of ***.* thousand tons, a value almost five times higher than the initial **.* in ****. Thereafter, sales fell sharply in ****, then remained more stable in ****-****, with a slight final decline to ***.* thousand ...

2.2 Geographical distribution of demand

Data on average household spending on whole or shelled nuts in Italy show slight geographic variability. Households in the Northeast and Northwest spend more on average, at *.* euros. Southern regions and the Islands record a lower expenditure, at *.** euros, while the Center has the lowest average expenditure at *.** euros. This suggests a difference in consumption that may reflect different eating habits or economic availability among geographic areas of the country.

Pistachio production in Italy is heavily concentrated in Sicily, which dominates the sector with **,*** units, accounting for almost all of the national harvest. The other regions producing pistachios in significant quantities are Basilicata (***). The rest of the country, including many northern and central regions, has no production. This distribution shows a clear concentration of production in southern Italy, with Sicily emerging as the main player

2.3 Demand drivers

In ****, Italian households' fruit and vegetable purchases will focus mainly on fresh fruits (***) occupy an important slice.

Composition of household agri-food purchases Italy, ****, % Ismeamercati

In ****, the breakdown of nut purchases in Italy sees almonds in first place with ** percent, followed by nuts (***) cover a marginal part of the market. Distribution shows a preference for almonds and walnuts.

Breakdown of nut purchases by value Italy, ****, % Ismeamercati

During ****-****, purchases of shelled pistachios in Italy increased by *.* percent in quantity, while the average price decreased by *.* percent. In contrast, a slight decrease in quantity purchased (***) was observed for shelled pistachios, but with a *.*% increase in average price. Changes in quantity purchased and average price of pistachios Italy, ****-****, in % IsmeaMarkets

2.4 Trends in pistachio demand

Online searches for pistachio in Italy showed a fluctuating trend between **** and ****. Starting from an index of **.* in September ****, a peak of **.* was reached in December of the same year, probably related to seasonality and holidays. After this high, there is a general decline, with the index dropping to **.* in August ****. Between September **** and September ****, interest fell by **.* percent. However, some recoveries are observed, such as in March **** (***), followed by new declines.

The numbers represent search interest relative to the highest point on the graph in relation to the region and period indicated. A value of *** indicates the highest frequency of search for the term, ** indicates half as many searches. A score of *, on the other hand, indicates that not enough data were found for the term.

Trends in online searches for pistachio Italy, ****-****, index Google Trends, Businesscoot elaboration

Online searches for pistachio in Italy show a sharply concentrated geographic distribution in Sicily, which records a maximum value of ***, which is consistent with the fact that the region is known for producing high-quality pistachios. Calabria (***), show more modest interest. Trentino-Alto Adige closes the ranking with a value of **, indicating less interest than the southern regions.

2.5 New trends in demand

Pistachio consumption trends in Italy, according to research conducted by American Pistachio Growers in collaboration with mUp Research, are:[***]

Popularity among Italians: Pistachios are much loved by Italians. They are a favorite among nuts. Nearly ** percent of respondents regularly consume pistachios, and more than ** percent say they have always consumed them. Mode of Consumption: Throughout the Day: Pistachios are consumed throughout the day. More than half of the respondents consume them as a snack in the afternoon, followed by **% who eat them during aperitifs. Forty percent prefer them during dinner. Seasonality: There is no predominant season for pistachio consumption, but autumn is the favorite season for ** percent of respondents, followed by winter (***). How They Are Eaten: Most respondents (***). However, many also use them in recipes: ** percent use them in desserts, ** percent in appetizers or entrees, and ** percent in pasta dishes.

Seasonality in the consumption of pistachios Italy, ****, % Horecanews

Place of Consumption: Most Italians (***) consume pistachios mainly at home, compared to **% who consume them outside the home. This is confirmed by the fact that pistachios are present in **% of Italian household pantries.

3.1 Structure and dynamics of the Italian market

In the period ****-****, the number of enterprises active in the wholesale trade of preserved fruits and vegetables in Italy showed a growing trend. Starting from *** enterprises in ****, the figure increased by **.* percent to reach *** enterprises in ****, despite a slight decline from the peak of *** enterprises in ****. **** marks the beginning of a significant increase from ****.

Firms active in the wholesale trade of preserved fruits and vegetables [***] Italy, ****-**** Istat

In ****, the majority of enterprises active in the wholesale trade of preserved fruits and vegetables in Italy were limited liability companies (***). Other legal forms, such as joint stock companies and social cooperatives, accounted for smaller shares, showing a clear preference for LLCs. Legal form of companies active in the wholesale trade of preserved fruits and vegetables Italy, ****, in % Istat

The number of employees operating in the wholesale trade of preserved fruits and vegetables in Italy increased overall from **** to ****, from *,*** to *,*** employees, a growth of **.* percent. The peak was reached in **** with *,*** employees, followed by a slight decrease in subsequent years. Between **** and ****, a steady decline can be seen, with the number of employees falling by about *.* percent from the peak in ****. Number of employees working in the wholesale trade of preserved ...

3.2 The value chain

3.3 Distribution channels

Pistachios are distributed through a number of channels that vary by market (***), and the needs of different consumer segments. Here is a detailed description of the main channels:

*. Primary Channel: Growers

The distribution chain for pistachios begins with agricultural producers, which can be small family farms or large industrial plantations. The main pistachio-producing countries include:

Iran: the world's largest producer, famous for the quality of its pistachios. USA (***): major exporter, with highly mechanized and modern production. Turkey, Greece, Italy (***): other major European producers.

After harvesting, pistachios go through a first stage of processing, which may include drying, shell removal and sorting.

*. Processing and Processing

After harvesting, pistachios can be sold directly to:

Processing industries: which process them for shelled, roasted, and salted pistachios, or for more complex processing such as making flours, creams, or other by-products. Agricultural cooperatives: which help small producers consolidate production and obtain better market conditions.

These actors process the raw product into different forms to meet the demand of end consumers or other market segments (***).

*. Wholesale Distribution

The next step is wholesaling. There are several modes of distribution:

Domestic and international wholesalers: they buy pistachios in large volumes and resell them to retailers, caterers, ...

3.4 The main players in the market

The players in the Italian market are as follows:

Madero Quality: This is an Italian company based in Bronte, known as the home of pistachios, located on the slopes of Mount Etna. Founded in ****, the company has three generations of experience in growing, processing and importing pistachios behind it. It specializes in the supply of pistachios and semi-finished products from various parts of the world, destined for food industries, catering (***) and private labels. It cultivates on ** hectares and processes about *,*** tons of pistachio per year.

Di Sano Srl: Also known as The Pistachio Company, it is an Italian family business, active for three generations in the pistachio processing and marketing sector. Founded by Francesco Di Sano, the company specializes in the production of pistachios both under its own brand and for third parties. It has pistachio-derived products available, including in-shell, shelled, sliced, and granulated pistachios. In addition to pistachios, the company also deals with dried fruits, ice cream and pastry products, such as spreadable creams and ice cream bases.

Pistì: A Sicilian company founded in **** in Bronte, known for its artisanal production of pistachio sweets and products, especially the renowned Pistacchio Verde di Bronte DOP. Founders Nino Marino and Vincenzo Longhitano ...

4.1 Supply analysis

The supply of pistachios in the global market is divided into different types, which differ in botanical variety, quality, production method, intended use and sales forms.

The food properties of pistachios are:[***]

4.2 Price trends in the market

The consumer price index for dried, dried fruits and nuts in Italy, with base ****=***, shows a slightly increasing trend between July **** and July ****. The index rises from ***.* in July **** to ***.* in July ****, an overall increase of *.* percent in two years. Over the period, a slight monthly fluctuation is observed, with a steady increase until May ****, followed by fluctuations between ***.* and ***.*. Despite these variations, the overall trend is one of moderate growth, indicating a gradual increase in prices for this category of goods.

Consumer price index of dried fruits, nuts and dried fruits [***] for the whole community (***) - monthly data Italy, ****-****, index Istat

From **** to ****, the consumer price index for dried, dried and nuts in Italy shows a steady increase. Starting from ***.* in ****, the index reaches ***.* in ****, with an overall increase of **.* percent over eight years. The period from **** to **** shows particularly significant growth. After a slight decline in ****, the index jumps from ***.* to ***.* in **** (***).

Consumer price index of dried fruits, nuts and dried fruits [***] for the whole community (***) - annual averages Italy, ****-****, index Istat

The average monthly price of pistachio nuts in Italy between July **** and August **** shows moderate growth. The price remains stable at €**.**/kg from July to ...

4.3 The growth of derivative products

One of the most important supply trends in the pistachio sector is the increase in products using this seed as an ingredient. This trend is supported by good consumer acceptance. In fact,GS* Italy's Immagino Observatory, a biannual study that in this **th edition cross-references information on the labels of nearly *** thousand consumer products, has highlighted the growing success of products on whose labels the presence of "pistachio" is specified. These are *** references that have increased their sales by +**.* percent, amounting to more than *** million euros, as a result of the sharp increase in supply (***), sweet spreads, dove and Easter eggs.

Below are some examples of these products:

4.4 New supply trends

The supply of pistachios is evolving rapidly, reflecting different market trends that respond both to consumer needs and to changes in production and distribution chains:

*. Growing Demand for Healthy and Sustainable Products

Organic Products: Growing consumer awareness of health and environmental sustainability has led to an increase in demand for organic pistachios, produced without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers. This segment is growing in double digits in many markets, particularly in Europe and North America. Environmental Sustainability: Pistachio producers are investing in more sustainable farming practices, such as efficient irrigation to reduce water consumption, since pistachios are a water-intensive crop. Companies are also trying to minimize environmental impact through the use of greener technologies and recyclable or compostable packaging.

*. Expansion of Processed Pistachio Products

Processed Pistachiosand Snacks: Pistachio-based snacks, such as protein bars, spreads, and nut mixes, are gaining in popularity, with an increasing focus on flavored variants (***). These products offer a convenient solution for consumers seeking healthy, protein-rich options. PistachioPaste and Pistachio Cream: There is an increase in demand for pistachio paste and sweet spreadable creams, used both in the professional sector (***) and at home. The quality of pistachio used in these preparations, especially in Italy, ...

5.1 The legislation

The regulation of pistachio production and sale in Italy is based on a series of regulations covering various aspects of product quality, safety and traceability, involving national, European and regional laws. One of the main references is the Regulation (***) certification. This mark guarantees that the product comes exclusively from a specific geographical area, that of Bronte in Sicily, and that it meets strict quality standards, from cultivation to processing.

At the food safety level, Italy follows the provisions of the Regulation (***) ****/***, which introduces new provisions for allergen management, food redistribution, and the promotion of a food safety culture. These regulations are crucial for consumer protection, especially considering the importance of hygiene in the processing of products such as pistachios.

Another regulation relevant to agricultural production is the Regulation (***) No. ***/****, which sets maximum levels of pesticide residues allowed in food and feed. This is particularly significant for pistachio production because pesticides can be used in cultivation to protect plants from pests. Compliance with these limits is mandatory to ensure the safety of the final product, and strict controls are in place to ensure that the permitted levels of chemical residues are not exceeded.

In addition to European regulations, there is also a ...

6.1 Segmentation

• Madero Quality
• Pistacchio S.p.A.
• Garden Fruit S.r.L.
• Pistì
• Di Sano S.r.L.
• Bacco
• D.A.R. S.r.L.
• Gelateria Callipo
• Petralia Pistacchi
• Pistacchio Evergreen