U.S. Pistachio Shipments Reached 1.30 Billion Pounds
The 2025/26 crop year saw U.S. pistachio exports rebound with a 19.1 percent increase in total volume.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Vegetarian
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U.S. pistachio shipments totaled 1.30 billion pounds in the 2025/26 crop year. This performance marked a 19.1 percent increase over the previous year, highlighting the sector's recovery.
Why it matters
Understanding these shipment trends helps clarify the global availability of this popular plant-based protein. The data illustrates how the industry manages its cyclical harvest patterns to meet international demand.
Total shipments reached 1.30 billion pounds inshell-equivalent during the 2025/26 season, reflecting a 19.1 percent year-on-year growth. Market distribution included 397.5 million pounds to North America and 355.1 million pounds to Europe.
The details
Industry shipments are calculated by converting kernel volumes to an inshell-equivalent weight using a 0.45 ratio. The sector is significantly influenced by an alternate-bearing cycle where trees fluctuate between high-crop and off-years, impacting annual output figures.
Timeline
2023/24 served as the comparison baseline for total crop production.
2024/25 was characterized as an off-year for the pistachio alternate-bearing cycle.
2025/26 marked the primary crop year for the reported shipment figures.
2027/28 represents a potential future crop year with estimated volumes of 1.8 to 2.0 billion pounds.
Culture Shift
The volatility in annual output is a direct result of the pistachio alternate-bearing cycle, which necessitates long-term planning for suppliers and consumers. This harvest rhythm continues to shape how international markets manage their nut inventories despite fluctuations in annual production.
Shoppers may notice more stable or varied availability of pistachios in retail stores as global shipment volumes fluctuate based on crop cycles. These shifts in bulk distribution eventually influence the pricing and supply levels found in local grocery aisles.
The takeaway
The cyclical nature of nut harvests means that supply levels are rarely static year-over-year. Consumers interested in plant-based proteins should anticipate fluctuating availability as the industry navigates its natural production rhythms.
Further reading
Learn more about plant-based dietary staples in the Vegetarian section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Freshplaza.
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