Date:22/11/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/11/22/stories/2005112201381200.htm

Back EU's edible nuts consumption up

Our Bureau

Kochi , Nov. 21

IMPORTS of edible nuts by the European Union increased in 2004, signalling a rise in consumption of it in the member countries.

Total imports of nuts increased to 1.7 million tonnes valued at euro 3.5 billion in 2004, an increase of 15 per cent in value and 4 per cent in volume since 2002, according to an overseas report. It said 37 per cent of the supply of edible nuts in terms of value came from the developing countries in 2004.

India, Turkey, China, Iran, Argentina, Vietnam, South Africa and Brazil are the leading suppliers. Almonds topped the list of imports with almost 30 per cent share, followed by groundnut 18 per cent, hazelnut 15 per cent, pistachio 12 per cent, walnut 9 per cent and cashewnut 8 per cent.