The wholesale prices for inshell walnuts on the Moldovan market had not changed for three weeks in November – 28 MDL/kg average ($1.45/kg). The situation differs from last year in the same period of the season. The average price in November fluctuated with a greater amplitude then – 25-28 MDL/kg ($1.42-1.53/kg). However, operators of the local walnut market expect an increase in demand prices for high-quality in-shell nuts from orchards (not from forest belts and alleys) in early December, EastFruit reports.
The reason for this assumption was the requests to the Union of Associations of Nut Producers of Moldova from buyers from Austria and France for quite large lots (hundreds of tonnes) of high-quality nut kernels – light halves, without diseases and not prone to mold. Some exporters of walnuts responded to the request and started purchasing quality inshell nuts from farmers at a relatively high price of 35 MDL/kg ($1.8/kg) and more.
Representatives of the industry union believe that although the current surge in demand for inshell nuts isn’t widespread yet, it fits into the forecast for a gradual revival (by the Christmas peak) of sales of inshell nuts for short-term (fast) export contracts.
