Chestnuts are more than just a seasonal snack — they are now an important agricultural and food processing product in many countries. But where are chestnuts mainly grown? Which countries produce the most? And what trends are shaping the global chestnut industry?
Let’s take a look at the global chestnut map.
China: The World's Leading Chestnut Producer
China is the largest chestnut producer in the world, accounting for over 70% of global output. Major growing areas include Hebei, Shandong, Liaoning, Henan, and Anhui provinces. Chinese chestnuts are famous for their taste and storage ability.
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Popular varieties: Huacli series, Qianxi Chestnut
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Planting method: Mostly grown in mountain or forest areas
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Annual production: Over 1.8 million tons (FAO data)
China produces a lot but exports relatively little — most are consumed or processed domestically.
Italy & Spain: Europe’s Chestnut Powerhouses
Italy is Europe’s biggest chestnut producer and exporter. The Tuscany region is especially known for high-quality chestnuts called “Marroni”, which are larger and sweeter.
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Main use: Chestnut cream, desserts, bakery
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Export markets: Germany, Switzerland, France, Japan
Spain, Portugal, and France also have growing regions and mainly sell fresh chestnuts, canned chestnuts, or chestnut paste.
South Korea & Japan: Growing Import Demand
South Korea consumes large amounts of chestnuts — especially ready-to-eat packs, frozen chestnuts, and peeled nuts. Many are imported from China and Vietnam.
Japan focuses more on taste and shape, using chestnuts in traditional sweets (wagashi) and high-end confectionery.
Trend: Consumer demand is shifting from fresh chestnuts to ready-to-eat, clean-label, and processed products.
Turkey & Iran: Emerging Export Countries
Turkey is one of the top 5 chestnut producers globally and exports to many Arab and European markets. Iran and nearby countries are also increasing their planting areas and export activities.
A Growing Need for High-Quality Sorting
With rising global demand for high-grade chestnuts, both farms and processors are facing more pressure to deliver consistent quality — especially for export or deep processing.
Buyers now expect chestnuts to be:
This is why more chestnut processing plants are upgrading their sorting equipment.
Why Use Intelligent Chestnut Sorting Machines?
Traditional color sorters only detect surface color — they often miss hidden defects. Modern sorting machines powered by AI (deep learning) are changing that.
Our smart chestnut sorter offers 3 key advantages:
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AI-powered accuracy: Deep learning detects subtle defects, such as cracks, mold spots, or surface damage, with higher precision than traditional machines.
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360° full inspection: Each chestnut rotates and is captured by 7+ images — no blind spots, better quality control.
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Multi-output sorting: One pass, multiple results. An 8-outlet machine can sort chestnuts into categories like large/medium/small good nuts, cracked nuts, dried nuts, and even detect internal defects in peeled chestnut kernels.
Coming next:
How is a chestnut processed? From farm to chestnut paste and snack pack — the full global processing chain explained.
Interested in upgrading your chestnut processing line?
We can help you find the best sorting solution based on your capacity and product type. Contact us for more details.
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