Global Chestnut Trade: Who Exports, Who Imports — and Where Are the Opportunities?

Chestnuts may be grown locally, but they are traded globally. From Italy to Japan, and China to Turkey, international demand for high-quality chestnuts is growing. Understanding trade flows can help processors make better decisions on product types, packaging, and timing — especially when exports are involved.

Major Chestnut Exporting Countries

What Do Importers Care About?

When importing chestnuts — especially for high-end markets — buyers look for:

• Product uniformity: Similar size, shape, and appearance

• Low defect rate: No cracks, mold, or internal rot

• Longer shelf life: Cold chain and packaging quality

• Certifications: HACCP, ISO, pesticide residue reports

• Custom packaging: Vacuum, nitrogen-filled, resealable pouches

Top Exported Chestnut Product Types (Global)

New Export Opportunities

In addition to traditional markets, new demand is rising in:

• Southeast Asia: Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand want ready-to-eat formats

• Middle East: Gulf countries prefer vacuum-packed roasted chestnuts

• North America: Growing interest in healthy, plant-based snacks

• Africa: Small but growing demand for dried chestnuts for cooking

Smart Sorting Machines Help You Meet Export Standards

Exporting requires consistent quality — a few bad nuts can ruin a shipment or cause rejection.
Our AI-powered chestnut sorter helps you:

• Detect internal rot and hidden defects

• Separate by size, shape, surface cracks

• Handle up to 8 product categories in one pass

This ensures that only the best-quality nuts enter your export cartons.

Coming next:
What equipment do chestnut factories really need? A practical guide to choosing the right sorting and processing line.