Chestnuts

Revised November, 2021.

Overview

The United States is one of the few nations in the world that can grow chestnuts, yet doesn't have a significant chestnut industry. U.S. chestnut production is less than 1 percent of total world production. The United States has 919 farms producing chestnuts on more than 3,700 acres.

The top five states with the most chestnut acreage were Michigan, Florida, California, Oregon, and Virginia (NASS 2018).

The United States imported 3,200 metric tons of chestnuts in 2017. The USDA does not report statistics on U.S. chestnut production and consumption separately.

The value of the nut is related to its size. Generally, the value of chestnuts ranges from $0.75 to $2.50 per pound wholesale and from $2.00 to $5.00 per pound retail, depending on the market. Chestnuts are primarily sold fresh in the shell.

Value Added Options

Added markets may be, but not limited to, farmers markets, specialty grocery stores, wholesale purveyors, pre-packaged food processors, vegetarian food processors, ethnic markets, restaurant food purveyors, mail order businesses and seasonal food processors. 

Agritourism and u-pick farms have a growing consumer base, allowing an interactive experience with the consumer.

Sources

University of Florida Extension Services
2012 Census of Agriculture, National Ag Statistics Service (NASS), USDA, 2018.
Chestnut Growers of America - Online resources for chestnut growers and researchers.
Northern Nut Growers Association, Inc. - This website provides information and resources related to nut tree production. Select the “experts” link to find people who specialize in chestnuts.