Pistachio Market Data, Grades and Trade

Editorial evidence reviewedReviewed 2026-09-06Release 2026-09-19-batch-230

Global production

1.3M MT

2023/24

Market value

$4.8B

Producing countries tracked

9

Grading systems

1

Active supply risks

3

Trade corridors

3

Latest reviewed evidence

The figures below are rounded USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service estimates for the 2025 California pistachio crop, published in May 2026. They are dated crop measures—not global production, a current physical offer or a live delivered price; Atlas does not present the annual crop value or average grower return as a current lot price.

California pistachio bearing area

521000

acres · crop year 2025

California utilized pistachio production

1580

million pounds, rounded · crop year 2025

California pistachios sold in shell

1290

million pounds, rounded · crop year 2025

California pistachios sold shelled

293

million pounds · crop year 2025

Naturally split, artificially opened, non-split and shelled pistachios are separate products

In-shell grades distinguish naturally split nuts from artificially opened and non-split forms. Shelled grades cover whole kernels and separately specified sizes, while pieces, roasted kernels, paste and oil add different composition, treatment, usable-yield and end-use requirements. Atlas keeps product form, opening method, variety or type, grade, size and intended use explicit before comparing lots or evidence.

Grade, opening method, size, defects and food-safety terms travel with the lot

USDA in-shell grades address foreign material, blanks, loose kernels, shell pieces, split-on-suture status, staining, adhering hull, drying, immature kernels, spotting, mold, rancidity, decay and insect injury. Shelled grades separately address drying, foreign material, kernel damage and size classification. The 2026 USDA procurement specification adds a defined U.S. Extra No. 1 naturally split product, 21 to 25 nuts per ounce, plus aflatoxin, moisture, oxidation, microbiological, packaging and traceability requirements for that procurement context. A physical record preserves the exact standard and buyer specification rather than generalizing those terms to every lot.

Crop totals do not determine a delivered pistachio price

USDA NASS reported about 1.58 billion pounds of utilized California pistachio production from 521,000 bearing acres in 2025, including about 1.29 billion pounds sold in shell and 293 million pounds sold shelled. Those dated California aggregates do not specify the opening method, variety, grade, count, kernel size, stain and defect profile, food-safety limits, treatment, pack or delivery terms required for a comparable physical price.

Questions procurement teams ask

Are naturally split and artificially opened pistachios interchangeable?

No. USDA standards distinguish naturally split, artificially opened and non-split in-shell pistachios. The opening method and applicable grade must stay attached to the lot.

Are in-shell and shelled pistachios interchangeable?

No. In-shell grades cover shell opening, stains, shell condition and internal kernel defects, while shelled grades cover kernel drying, foreign material, defects and size classification.

What does the 1.58 billion pound figure represent?

It is USDA NASS's rounded estimate of utilized California pistachio production for the 2025 crop year. It is a dated state crop measure, not global production and not a current physical price.

Which fields make physical pistachio offers comparable?

Product form, natural or artificial opening, variety or type, grade and inspection basis, count or screen size, whole-versus-broken composition, moisture and condition, stain and defect tolerances, food-safety requirements, treatment, crop year, packaging and net weight, origin, quantity, currency, Incoterm, destination, delivery window and evidence date.