Chinese consumption of healthier snack foods helping expand walnut production

Quality-conscious Chinese consumers are pursuing healthier snack foods, like nuts, industry experts said. The experts predict the market will see a golden growth period with expanding scale and higher prices.

China is the second-largest nut producer worldwide, accounting for 10 percent of the world's total production. It's the largest producer of walnuts, one of four major types of nuts along with almonds, hazelnuts and cashews. China's walnut output makes up about half of the global total, according to Chinese Academy of Forestry.

This year, the United States, China, Germany, Russia and Turkey are predicted to become the top five markets for nuts. By 2023, nut sales are expected to reach $5.35 billion in China, up 13.8 percent from expected tallies in 2019, according to market research provider Euromonitor International.