Why Are Walnuts So Expensive? (Find Out Now!)

Cost Factors for Walnuts

Walnuts are tree nuts, which really just means they are grown on trees. This simple fact actually has a lot to do with why walnuts are so expensive. There are a handful of different factors that cause the high price tag on walnuts. We’re going to look at all of them.

Specific Growing Conditions

Walnut trees are native to Asia, Europe, and North America, and they need very specific conditions to grow. These types of trees thrive when they have full sun exposure and well0-drained soil.

They grow best in the foothills and seaside areas that have good drainage. More specifically, they need sandy loam that is well-irrigated and rich in organic materials. They are also very sensitive to high concentrations of sodium, chlorine, and boron, so you should avoid that.

Low Annual Yields

Native walnuts are usually ready to harvest between September and October and can only be collected once a year. Since they only grow in specific areas and conditions, there’s only a limited quantity harvested each year.

This low supply causes them to be priced higher for two reasons. Mainly, it’s to ensure a profit on the yield. On the consumer end, it means walnuts are more of a delicacy than a common purchase, so it’s price equates to its exclusivity.

High Demand

Walnuts are more in demand than they used to be and basic rules of supply and demand will tell you that the bigger the demand, the higher the price. Plus, as we said above, walnut trees produce a small yield, which further drives that price up.

Transportation Costs

Labor Costs

Thanks to all these factors we’ve already talked about, walnuts are a complicated product to harvest and sell. The small yields, the strict regulations, and the specific conditions all drive labor costs up, which in turn raises the cost to buy the walnuts in the end.

High Taxes

All but products, in general, are taxed by both the distributor and the consumer, which means the overall price needs to be higher to ensure a profit. Since nuts also offer so many health benefits, people are continuing to tax them at higher rates than any unhealthy foods on the market. The more we learn about these benefits, the higher the taxes will become.

Health Benefits of Walnuts

Walnuts are known to improve brain health and prevent heart disease and even some forms of cancer. They are made up of approximately 65% fat and 15% of protein. The fat levels in walnut make them a high-calorie snack. That means they’ll give you a good amount of energy throughout the day.

That said, studies indicate that they won’t increase obesity risk when eaten in moderation. They also contain other helpful acids, vitamins, and minerals, including:

Types of Walnuts

Walnut trees are classified under the plant genus Juglans, which is of the family Juglandaceae. They are native across Asia—especially China—North America, and Europe. There are over 20 different types of walnut trees in the world. The most popular types of walnuts include…

Common Uses for Walnuts

The obvious thing people do with walnuts is eat them on their own as a snack. However, you can also add walnuts to many different dishes to enhance the taste. Some popular dishes include:

…and more!

The Cost of Common Types of Nuts

The truth is most nuts are expensive for a lot of the same reasons as walnuts, so you’re going to run into this problem no matter what type you decide to buy. Let’s take a look at how walnuts stack up against other popular types of nuts:

Our Final Thoughts on Walnuts

Walnuts are a pain to harvest, process, and transport, and they have high taxes, too. At the end of the day, that burden falls on the consumer—AKA you. Unfortunately, the next time you go to the grocery store, you’ll still have to pay the price to get your walnuts. On the bright side, you’ll at least better understand why you’re paying it.