Pistachio
The pistachio is the seed of Pistacia vera, a small desert tree that needs hot dry summers and cold winters, which confines commercial growing to Iran, the United States, Turkiye, Syria, Greece, Spain, Italy, Afghanistan and Australia. The shell splits naturally along its suture as the kernel expands, and a naturally open nut is worth more than a closed one because it can be eaten straight from the shell. Most volume trades inshell, roasted and salted for snacking. Kernels, sold whole, split or as pieces, go into ice cream, confectionery, baklava and other pastry, charcuterie, and increasingly into pistachio paste and cream. The green colour of the kernel is a value driver in its own right, so peeled green kernels are graded and priced separately from natural kernels. Pistachio is one of the most closely monitored nuts for aflatoxin.
Listed pistachio markets
Each line is a grade at a delivery point. Open one for its full specification and terms.
Grades
Inshell pistachio is graded on the number of nuts in a fixed weight and on whether the shell has opened naturally. Kernel is graded on integrity, colour and size. Moisture and aflatoxin sit alongside both.
Inshell size count
8 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| 18 to 20Colossal | Between 18 and 20 nuts in an ounce. The largest commercial band. |
| 20 to 22Extra large | Between 20 and 22 nuts in an ounce. |
| 21 to 25Large | Between 21 and 25 nuts in an ounce. |
| 22 to 24Large | Between 22 and 24 nuts in an ounce. |
| 24 to 26Medium | Between 24 and 26 nuts in an ounce. |
| 26 to 28Medium | Between 26 and 28 nuts in an ounce. |
| 28 to 30Small | Between 28 and 30 nuts in an ounce. |
| 30 to 32Small | Between 30 and 32 nuts in an ounce. |
Shell opening
3 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Naturally openSplit on the tree | The shell has opened naturally along the suture, wide enough to be opened by hand. The contract states the minimum percentage of naturally open nuts. |
| Closed shellNot split | The shell has not opened. Sold at a discount, or cracked mechanically for kernel recovery. |
| Mechanically openedSplit after harvest | The shell has been opened by machine rather than on the tree. This must be declared, as it is not the same product as naturally open. |
Kernel grade
5 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Whole kernelIntact | A complete kernel with both cotyledons attached. The contract states the minimum percentage of wholes. |
| Splits and halvesSeparated cotyledons | The two cotyledons separated. Used in bakery and confectionery where appearance still matters. |
| PiecesSized on a stated aperture | Broken kernel screened to a stated particle size range, for example 2 mm to 4 mm. |
| Peeled green kernelSkin removed | Kernel blanched and peeled to expose the green cotyledon. Graded on green intensity, which is the primary value driver for ice cream and pastry. |
| Natural kernelSkin on | Kernel with the purple brown pellicle intact. |
Moisture and contaminants
4 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| MoistureMaximum 6.0 per cent | Pistachio is dried to a maximum of 6.0 per cent moisture. Wet pistachio moulds fast and generates aflatoxin. |
| AflatoxinMicrograms per kilogram | The contract states the aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxin limits and the sampling plan, which follow the destination market. Pistachio is subject to reinforced import controls in several markets. |
| Quality classExtra Class, Class I, Class II | Three classes with progressively wider tolerances for stained, shrivelled, mouldy, rancid and insect damaged nuts. |
| Foreign matter and shellPercentage by weight | Loose shell, hull fragments, dust and foreign matter are each capped by weight. |
Grades outside this list trade on request. Send us the contract specification you work to and we will price against it.
Locations
| Country | Region | We trade it as |
|---|---|---|
| Iran | Middle East | Origin and destination |
| United States | North America | Origin and destination |
| Turkiye | Europe | Origin and destination |
| Syria | Middle East | Origin |
| Greece | Europe | Origin and destination |
| Spain | Europe | Origin and destination |
| Italy | Europe | Origin and destination |
| Afghanistan | Central Asia | Origin |
| Australia | Oceania | Origin and destination |
| Tunisia | North Africa | Origin |
| Morocco | North Africa | Origin and destination |
| China | East Asia | Destination |
| Hong Kong | East Asia | Destination |
| Germany | Europe | Destination |
| Netherlands | Europe | Destination |
| Belgium | Europe | Destination |
| India | South Asia | Destination |
| United Arab Emirates | Middle East | Origin and destination |
| Saudi Arabia | Middle East | Destination |
| Russia | Europe | Destination |
| Vietnam | Southeast Asia | Origin and destination |
| Canada | North America | Destination |
| France | Europe | Destination |
| United Kingdom | Europe | Destination |
Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown here.
Timing
Harvest is when the crop is taken at origin. Arrival is when a shipment from that origin typically lands in a consuming market. The gap between them is processing, grading and the voyage.
HarvestArrival
| Origin | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iran | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Sep, arrival Oct to JanHarvest from late August into September in Kerman and Yazd. Export builds through the last quarter. | ||||||
| United States | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Oct, arrival Oct to JanCalifornia, Arizona and New Mexico harvest from late August, mechanically shaken and hulled the same day. | ||||||
| Turkiye | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Sep, arrival Sep to DecGaziantep and Sanliurfa harvest from late August. Turkiye consumes most of its own crop. | |||||||
| Greece | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Sep, arrival Sep to NovAegina and Fthiotida harvest from late August. | ||||||||
| Spain | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Sep, arrival Sep to NovCastilla La Mancha harvest from late August, a fast growing origin. | ||||||||
| Italy | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Sep, arrival Sep to NovBronte in Sicily harvests on a two year alternate bearing cycle. | ||||||||
| Syria | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Sep, arrival Sep to NovAleppo and Idlib harvest from late August. | ||||||||
| Afghanistan | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Sep, arrival Sep to NovWild and cultivated stands in the northern provinces, harvested from August. | ||||||||
| Australia | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Feb to Apr, arrival Apr to JunSouthern hemisphere harvest from February, landing counter seasonally. | |||||||
| Tunisia | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Sep, arrival Sep to NovHarvest from August in the central and coastal regions. |
Windows outside this pattern trade on request, including carry, forward positions and stock already sitting in a destination warehouse.
Customs, packing and contract terms
Indicative terms for pistachio. Tariff classification is the importer’s responsibility and limits change, so confirm both against the destination customs authority and the current regulation before you fix a contract.
- HS heading0802.51 Pistachios, in shell
0802.52 Pistachios, shelled - PackingIn shell in jute or PP woven bags of 25 kg to 50 kg. Kernels vacuum packed in cartons or tins of 10 kg to 25 kg, nitrogen flushed for high oil content nuts. Moisture at pack is the specification that decides shelf life.
- Container loading20ft: 14 t to 19 t. In shell is weight limited, kernel is volume limited. Reefer at 5 to 10 degrees Celsius for long transits on high oil kernels.
- Contract and arbitrationINC quality standards with the Dried Fruit and Edible Nut trade contract in Europe, arbitration in London, and Association of Food Industries contracts with AFI arbitration for United States trade.
- Destination limitsEU aflatoxin limits under Regulation 2023/915, being 2 ug/kg B1 and 4 ug/kg total for ready to eat nuts and higher where the lot is to be sorted before consumption. Salmonella controls, and increased official controls under Regulation 2019/1793 for several origins. US FDA action level of 20 ug/kg total aflatoxin.
Common questions
What grades of pistachio does SIP Global trade?
We quote 20 published grades of pistachio, including 18 to 20 - Colossal, 20 to 22 - Extra large, 21 to 25 - Large, 22 to 24 - Large, 24 to 26 - Medium and 26 to 28 - Medium. Every grade is tied to a delivery point and a settlement route. Grades outside the published list are priced on request.
How is pistachio graded?
Inshell pistachio is graded on the number of nuts in a fixed weight and on whether the shell has opened naturally. Kernel is graded on integrity, colour and size. Moisture and aflatoxin sit alongside both. Grading runs on 4 systems: Inshell size count, Shell opening, Kernel grade and Moisture and contaminants.
Where does SIP Global trade pistachio?
We trade pistachio in Iran, United States, Turkiye, Syria, Greece, Spain, Italy and Afghanistan and 16 further markets. Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown.
When is pistachio harvested and when does it arrive?
Typical windows are Iran: harvest aug to sep, arrival oct to jan; United States: harvest aug to oct, arrival oct to jan; Turkiye: harvest aug to sep, arrival sep to dec; Greece: harvest aug to sep, arrival sep to nov; Spain: harvest aug to sep, arrival sep to nov. Harvest is when the lot is taken at origin, arrival is when a shipment from that origin lands in a consuming market. Windows outside this pattern, including carry, trade on request.
What is the HS code for pistachio?
Pistachio is normally classified under HS 0802.51 (pistachios, in shell) and HS 0802.52 (pistachios, shelled). The heading follows the form the goods are in at the border, and national tariffs extend it beyond six digits, so confirm the full line with the destination customs authority before you fix a contract.
How do I get a price for pistachio?
Send the grade, the origin and the delivery window to the SIP Global desk. That is enough for a trader to come back with a level and a settlement route. 1 listed pistachio market is published on this page, each with its full specification and terms. We take both sides, physical and financial, prompt to long dated.
Standards and data sources
The grading language on this sheet follows published standards. Trade volumes and tariff lines are public record. Verify anything here against the source.
- UN ComtradeOfficial international trade statistics by HS code
- ITC Trade MapBilateral trade flows and tariff data
- FAOSTATFAO production and trade series for agricultural commodities
Price this with our desk
Grade, origin and window if you have them. If what you are carrying does not fit the sheet above, describe it in your own words and a trader will take it from there.