Walnut Sales in the Market to Reach USD 3.4 Billion by 2034, Projected 5.6% Annual Growth Rate
In 2024, North America led the global walnut ingredient market, accounting for 37.2% of the overall share. The food industry generated 69.1% of the total demand for walnut ingredients, with shelled walnuts being the leading segment, accounting for 74.2% of the market share.
Walnut oil, walnut butter, and walnut flour are increasingly being incorporated into plant-based milk, yogurt, and butter alternatives, as well as antioxidant-rich smoothies, plant-based protein blends, and wellness shots. These versatile ingredients are not only found in the food industry but also in skincare and haircare products, where they are used as exfoliants, moisturizers, and antioxidants.
The global walnut ingredient market is projected to grow steadily between 2025 and 2034, driven by increasing consumer demand for healthy nutritional ingredients and plant-based foods. Although specific global CAGR and size data for walnut ingredients alone are limited in the available reports, the overall nuts segment's growth combined with the specific shelled walnut market trends suggests steady, moderate growth aligned with health, sustainability, and convenience food trends.
In Northern America, the shelled walnut market volume is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 2.0% from 2024 to 2035, reaching approximately 691 thousand tons by 2035, with a market value increasing at a CAGR of about 3.5% to $4.4 billion. The broader nuts market, which includes walnuts, is forecast to experience moderate regional growth of around 3.0% to 5.0% CAGR in key areas like the US, Germany, China, and Spain through 2025, fueled by health trends, organic product demand, and incorporation into bakery, confectionery, and dietary supplements.
The organic edible nuts and seeds market, which encompasses walnuts as organic ingredients, is predicted to expand rapidly with a CAGR exceeding 11% through 2029, driven by rising health consciousness, plant-based diets, sustainability concerns, and product innovation such as fortified and sustainably-packaged offerings.
The Asia Pacific region is a high-growth area for walnut ingredients, with increasing urbanization and rising demand for functional foods. Walnut kernels remain the most popular product type, making up 58.3% of the market, while processed walnut forms dominate the market, with a 69.5% share.
Walnut kernels, flour, or chopped pieces are used in baked goods like breads, muffins, and cookies. Walnut extracts, peptides, and powders are formulated into capsules, protein bars, smoothies, and health drinks. The global walnut ingredient market is expected to reach USD 3.4 billion by 2034, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6% between 2025 and 2034.
In summary, the walnut ingredient market is expected to grow consistently within the larger nuts and natural ingredients space, with particular strength in organic and health-focused segments, regional growth in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, and technological advancements in processing and packaging supporting this trend.
- The increasing use of walnut oil, butter, and flour in plant-based milk, yogurt, and butter alternatives, as well as in wellness shots and plant-based protein blends, showcases the overlap between science and health-and-wellness.
- As personal-finance gains significance in lifestyle choices, the predicted steady growth of the walnut ingredient market correlates with the increasing consumer demand for nutrition, aligning with the trends of health, sustainability, and convenience.
- The growth in the demand for organic edible nuts and seeds, including walnuts, underscores the integration of sustainable food-and-drink practices into one's personal-finance and lifestyle.
- The versatility of walnut ingredients, found not only in the food industry but also in skincare and haircare products, highlights their broad appeal across various aspects of lifestyle, extending beyond food-and-drink.
