Walnut farming has a rich history, with the tree’s cultivation tracing back thousands of years to ancient Persia (modern-day Iran), where it was prized for its nutritious nuts and valuable timber. From Persia, walnuts spread along trade routes to Greece and Rome, becoming a staple in Mediterranean diets and eventually reaching China and the Indian subcontinent. Today, the top walnut-producing countries are China, which leads the world by a significant margin, followed by the United States (especially California), Iran, and Turkey. These countries benefit from favorable climates and established agricultural practices. The global spread of walnut cultivation reflects centuries of trade, migration, and agricultural innovation, with walnuts now enjoyed worldwide for their health benefits and culinary versatility.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 1,100,000 |
| 2 | United States of America | 657,710 |
| 3 | Iran | 386,977 |
| 4 | Turkey | 325,000 |
| 5 | Chile | 148,000 |
| 6 | Burkina Faso | 137,268 |
| 7 | Mexico | 135,947 |
| 8 | Ukraine | 115,420 |
| 9 | Greece | 62,810 |
| 10 | Romania | 54,250 |
| 11 | Uzbekistan | 47,480 |
| 12 | France | 37,740 |
| 13 | Morocco | 25,065 |
| 14 | Egypt | 24,030 |
| 15 | Argentina | 21,582 |
| 16 | Spain | 18,880 |
| 17 | Moldova | 18,400 |
| 18 | Belarus | 16,525 |
| 19 | Pakistan | 15,369 |
| 20 | Afghanistan | 14,743 |
| 21 | Italy | 14,660 |
| 22 | Azerbaijan | 13,136 |
| 23 | Syria | 11,991 |
| 24 | Nepal | 9,054 |
| 25 | Serbia | 7,646 |
| 26 | Portugal | 7,540 |
| 27 | Georgia | 7,200 |
| 28 | Poland | 6,800 |
| 29 | Brazil | 6,215 |
| 30 | Kyrgyzstan | 6,111 |
| 31 | Hungary | 5,950 |
| 32 | Australia | 5,020 |
| 33 | Bulgaria | 4,730 |
| 34 | North Macedonia | 4,667 |
| 35 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 4,340 |
| 36 | Armenia | 4,223 |
| 37 | Lebanon | 3,927 |
| 38 | Kazakhstan | 3,167 |
| 39 | Austria | 2,750 |
| 40 | Switzerland | 1,923 |
| 41 | Iraq | 1,505 |
| 42 | South Korea | 1,157 |
Data from United Nations FAO Stat