The world sector of chestnut

Fossil and molecular evidence are confirming that Castanea genus (a Tertiary genus) have its origin center in the eastern Asian region. From here a continuous distribution occurred during the Oligocene (38-25 Mybp), through the northern hemisphere, the Caucasus region being the door of its entrance in Europe. Actually, it is widely distributed in the deciduous forests of the temperate regions between 25 and 50°N latitude, from the Appalachian Mountains (USA) to the Caucasus Region and Japan. Emerging areas are found in the southern hemisphere between 34 and 41°S from the South Region of Chile, to the Meridional region of Africa and the Australasia region in Oceania Continent. The world production is estimated at 2.21 Mt year^‑1, which comes from around 46 countries (27 of those in Europe). More than 99% of chestnuts are produced in the northern hemisphere, where the harvest season is between September and November, while in the southern hemisphere it is between April and May. In the 2017 to 2021 period, there were transitioned 109,636 t year^‑1 corresponding to $ 324.5 M USD and $ 2.96 USD kg^‑1. China was the biggest exporter with 36.7 kt year^‑1, representing a value of 78.5 M € (2.14 $ USD kg^‑1, 24% of total). Concerning importations, Italy was the biggest importer with 27.7 kt year^‑1 giving a value of 68 M € (3.0 € kg^‑1, 24% of total). The world top export flow of chestnut is from Turkey to Italy, corresponding to a value of 26 M € year^‑1 (9.1% of world transactions). The off-season harvest between the northern and southern hemisphere should be viewed as a great opportunity for the sector in a global world market allowing in both senses, the availability of fresh chestnuts during all the year.