The price of a walnut depends on its quality, seasonality, demand, and the situation on the market, including the international one.
It is a mistake to think that entrepreneurs buy walnuts for several hryvnias per kilogram, and then sell them for export for several hundred hryvnias. Of course, every entrepreneur wants to earn as much as possible, but the laws of pricing regulate this issue.
First, it is necessary to separate the prices for the walnut in the shell and the kernel. Obtaining the kernel is a lengthy manual process or technically difficult at industrial volumes. Therefore, the price of a walnut kernel is always several times higher than that of a walnut in its shell.
The lowest price for an in-shell walnut is offered at the beginning of the season when the walnut is still moist, hard, and has the remains of a green pericarp. The price is especially low if the weather is rainy and humid. In this case, the walnut absorbs maximum moisture and requires a longer drying process in a dryer. This, in turn, is additional costs of electricity and time.
At the beginning of the season, you can sell the walnut more expensively if you clean the walnut yourself from the remains of the green skin and dry it to optimal moisture. A calibrated walnut will also add to the cost.
Regarding the walnut kernel, it is important to pay attention to the international classification of the kernel. Almost all walnuts in Ukraine go abroad, and buyers from abroad are picky about the quality of walnuts.
When processing a walnut into a kernel, you should immediately sort it into fractions and, if possible, by color.
According to fractions, the kernel is divided into 1/2 ("half", "butterfly"), 1/4 ("quarter"), 1/8 ("eight"). A kernel not sorted by fractions is called a "mix".
By color, the kernel is divided into extra light, light, slightly dark, and dark.
The sorted walnut kernel always costs more for the mix. Light halves are more expensive than dark eights.
Another important factor affecting the price of walnuts is the volume of walnuts. Harvesters are interested in purchasing large volumes of walnuts of uniform quality. Therefore, it makes sense for processors to cooperate and form large batches, go to exporters of walnuts or engage in exports themselves.
Separately, global factors that affect the price of walnuts can be highlighted - the demand for Ukrainian walnuts abroad, walnut prices on the international market, and the economic situation in the country.
Our assortment includes equipment for peeling, drying, processing, and sorting walnuts. To receive the catalog and price, please contact the manager.