Top 10 Varieties of Walnut in the World and Their Characteristics

Key Highlights

• Top 10 walnut varieties in the world include Chandler, Howard, Hartley, Tulare, Franquette, Serr, Lara, Fernor, Fernette and Kashmir walnuts.
• English or Persian walnuts (Juglans regia) are the most widely cultivated variety for commercial purposes, while black walnuts are known for their harder shells and pronounced flavour.
• Chandler is a prominent commercial variety, accounting for approximately 65.5% of California's reported walnut crop in 2024.
• China was the leading exporter of in-shell walnuts (HS 080231) in 2024, with exports valued at US$384.59 million. The USA led shelled walnut exports (HS 080232), worth US$789.58 million.
• Walnut quality is assessed through kernel colour, kernel size, shell condition, moisture content, foreign matter and food-safety compliance.
• International walnut trade primarily involves two product categories: in-shell walnuts and shelled walnuts, supplied as whole kernels, halves, quarters and smaller pieces.

Introduction

Walnuts are among the most widely consumed tree nuts globally, owing to their distinctive flavour, crunchy texture and nutritional profile. There are many types of walnuts, each with varying shell thickness, kernel colour, size, flavour, oil content and processing characteristics. Some of the most popular walnut varieties include the Chandler walnut (grown extensively in the USA), traditional varieties from Kashmir and the French Franquette.

Understanding the Top 10 walnut varieties in the world can help growers, processors, importers and bulk buyers assess the quality and characteristics of the product they intend to purchase. Whilst the English or Persian walnut (Juglans regia) remains the most prominent variety in international trade, there are several other different types of walnuts, including black walnut. This guide explores the main walnut types, their origins, distinguishing characteristics and common applications.

Main Types of Walnuts Globally

Walnuts available for commercial use typically belong to either the English or black walnut category. Below are the top 10 varieties of wallets available globally.

English Walnut (Persian Walnut)

This is the most widely cultivated walnut variety on a commercial scale. It is grown extensively in countries such as China, the USA, Chile, France, Turkey and India. It has a mild flavour, an easily cracked shell and a high kernel yield. These characteristics make it suitable for both in-shell sales and further processing.

Black Walnut

This walnut is native to North America. It has a considerably harder shell and a more pronounced flavour. The kernels are commonly used in speciality foods, confectionery and baking.

There are numerous walnut varieties cultivated by growers. Their characteristics can vary considerably, influencing how they are harvested, graded, stored, processed and ultimately priced in the market.

Top 10 Walnut Varieties in the World

There is no officially recognised global ranking of walnut varieties. However, the following are 10 varieties commonly cultivated and used for commercial purposes.

Chandler Walnut

This is one of the most widely cultivated walnut varieties for commercial production. It is grown extensively in California (USA) and other walnut-producing regions. It was developed by the University of California, Davis. It remains a popular choice among growers due to the productivity of its trees.

This walnut typically has a pale kernel, thin shell and mild flavour. Its attractive appearance and good-quality kernel make it a popular choice for in-shell sales.

This walnut is highly regarded by commercial growers because it is productive and well suited to machine harvesting. According to data from the California Walnut Board, Chandler accounted for around 65.5% of California's total reported crop in 2024.

Howard Walnut

This is another prominent variety cultivated in California. It produces large, round nuts with good-quality kernels.

Compared to Chandler, this walnut typically has a more rounded shape. Its kernel is a popular choice for retail, baking and food processing. It is also a productive variety.

This walnut is commonly included in commercial walnut supply programmes. It offers good size consistency and kernel quality.

Hartley Walnut

This is a traditional variety cultivated in California. It produces large, attractive nuts with an oval shape. They have a relatively hard shell and yield good-quality kernels.

This walnut is also valued for its appealing in-shell appearance.

It has historically been an important variety in California. Whilst Chandler accounts for a much larger share of the crop, Hartley continues to be recognised among established commercial varieties.

Tulare Walnut

This walnut is a commercially cultivated variety in California. It produces large nuts with good-quality kernels.

This walnut yields well-filled kernels and can be a preferred choice for commercial applications due to its larger size.

It is cultivated in California alongside several other established walnut varieties.

Franquette Walnut

This is a traditional variety cultivated in France, with a long history of cultivation. It is commonly associated with walnut-producing regions in France but is also found in other European countries.

It produces elongated nuts with a relatively tight shell and good-quality kernels. Its flavour makes it a popular choice for direct consumption, baking and speciality food applications.

This walnut is also recognised as a later-leafing and later-flowering variety.

Serr Walnut

This variety originates from California and produces large nuts. It has a long history of cultivation in parts of the USA and yields good-quality kernels.

This walnut typically has a rounded shape. It can be a suitable choice for both in-shell sales and kernel processing. The variety has also been cultivated in commercial orchards.

Although it is not as dominant as Chandler in California, it remains a recognised commercial variety.

Lara Walnut

This is a variety cultivated in Europe and commonly associated with France. It produces large, rounded nuts with a favourable kernel-to-shell ratio.

This walnut is valued for its attractive appearance and mild flavour. It can be used for direct consumption, retail sales and food applications.

Its relatively large nut size also makes it an interesting option for commercial cultivation.

Fernor Walnut

This is a variety developed in France, specifically for regions exposed to late spring frosts. It is recognised for its later budding characteristics and adaptability to certain temperate growing conditions.

It produces medium-to-large nuts with good-quality kernels. These kernels are suitable for direct consumption and processing. It can be a viable option for growers in cooler walnut-producing regions.

This walnut is cultivated in several countries beyond France, including parts of Eastern Europe.

Fernette Walnut

This is another variety developed in France. It is commonly cultivated alongside the Fernor variety in commercial orchards. It is a productive variety and can be grown in walnut-producing regions where compatible pollination conditions are available.

It produces good-quality kernels and can be a suitable choice for commercial cultivation. It is frequently considered alongside other established French varieties.

This makes it an interesting option for commercial walnut production in Europe.

Kashmir Walnut

This is an important category of walnuts cultivated in India, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir. The region is well known for its traditional walnut production, with trees cultivated across several districts.

Unlike a single standardised variety, Kashmir walnuts comprise numerous local varieties. They are commonly classified according to their shell thickness and can be divided into paper shell, thin shell, medium shell and hard shell categories.

Paper Shell Walnuts are particularly popular because they are easy to crack. Their kernels are widely preferred for direct consumption and are also used in confectionery, baking and other food applications.

Several walnut varieties and local selections are cultivated in India. These include Lake English, Drainovsky and Opex Caulchry in Jammu and Kashmir. According to APEDA, this region remains central to walnut cultivation in India.

Comparison of Major Walnut Varieties

Below is a general comparison of the different walnut varieties.

Note: These are examples of recognised varieties and categories. There is no official global ranking based on production or exports.

Types of Walnuts Based on Shell Thickness

Walnuts can also be classified according to their shell characteristics. This can be an important consideration for buyers looking to purchase in-shell walnuts.

Paper Shell

These walnuts have an exceptionally thin shell and can be cracked with relative ease. They are a popular choice among consumers who prefer convenient access to the kernel.

Thin Shell

These walnuts have a slightly harder shell than paper shell varieties. They are still relatively easy to crack and can be a suitable choice for household consumption.

Medium Shell

These walnuts have a comparatively harder shell and are commonly available in commercial markets.

Hard Shell

These walnuts have a thick, hard shell. They offer greater protection to the kernel but can be more difficult to crack.

These classifications are particularly relevant in India. All four categories are recognised by APEDA.

Walnut Value Globally (HS Codes)

Walnuts are commonly traded internationally in either in-shell or shelled form. These products are classified under two different six-digit HS codes. This distinction helps importers, exporters and market analysts assess the trade value of each product category.

The two codes are:

• HS 080231 – Walnuts (fresh or dried) in shell.
• HS 080232 – Walnuts (fresh or dried) shelled.

Based on data from the World Bank WITS using UN Comtrade data, the following countries were the leading exporters in each category in 2024.

Top In-Shell Walnut Exporters (HS 080231)

China was the largest exporter of in-shell walnuts in 2024, followed by the USA and Chile.

Top Shelled Walnut Exporters (HS 080232)

This category also recorded substantial international trade. The USA was the largest exporter, followed by Mexico and China.

These figures demonstrate that the USA, China, Chile and Mexico have a strong presence in the global walnut market. The USA held a prominent position in the shelled category, whilst China was the leading exporter of in-shell walnuts.

These are the reported export values for each country and do not represent the total value of the global market. They also cover all walnuts within the respective categories rather than individual varieties such as Chandler, Franquette, Howard or Kashmir.

What Determines Walnut Quality?

When purchasing walnuts, it is important to know which variety you are buying. However, several other factors also influence the commercial quality of the product.

• Kernel Colour – Pale kernels are generally preferred for premium retail and confectionery applications. Darker kernels may be directed towards other uses.
• Kernel Size – If you are looking to purchase shelled walnuts, it is often important to establish what percentage of the in-shell walnut is recoverable as kernel. A higher kernel recovery percentage can improve processing efficiency.
• Shell Quality – In-shell walnuts should be free from major cracks, insect damage and mould.
• Moisture Content – Elevated moisture levels can increase the risk of mould development. Buyers should specify the acceptable moisture level before procurement.
• Foreign Matter – Dust, shell fragments, shrivelled kernels, insect damage and rancidity can all compromise product quality.
• Food Safety – Importers should verify compliance with applicable pesticide residue limits, aflatoxin requirements (where applicable), microbiological standards and documentation requirements.

In-Shell vs Shelled Walnuts

Walnuts can be procured in either in-shell or shelled form.

In-shell walnuts retain their outer shells and are commonly sold through retail outlets, supermarkets and wholesale nut markets. Their value depends on factors such as nut size, shell appearance, ease of cracking and kernel development.

Shelled walnuts are supplied as whole kernels, halves, quarters, pieces and smaller fragments. They are commonly used in bakeries, confectionery, breakfast cereals, snacks and food-processing applications.

Two important HS codes for international trade are:

• HS 080231 – Walnuts (fresh or dried) in shell.
• HS 080232 – Walnuts (fresh or dried) shelled.

These codes help importers and exporters identify the product category under which the walnuts are classified. However, they do not specify the individual variety, such as Chandler, Franquette or Howard.

Conclusion

There are numerous walnut varieties available across global markets. Chandler, Howard, Hartley and Tulare are prominent varieties in the USA. Franquette, Lara, Fernor and Fernette are strongly associated with walnut cultivation in Europe. Kashmir walnuts remain an important category in India.

Understanding walnut varieties can help commercial buyers select the right product for retail, food processing and wholesale applications. However, buyers should also consider kernel colour, size, moisture content, shell quality, food safety and the regulatory requirements of the destination market. These factors help determine whether a particular walnut variety meets the required quality specifications.

Disclaimer

The information presented in this article is intended for general informational purposes. Walnut varieties, cultivation patterns, export values and international trade conditions may change over time. Trade figures are based on the cited 2024 data and should not be treated as current-year statistics. Importers and exporters should verify the latest trade data, product specifications, food-safety standards, pesticide residue limits, aflatoxin requirements and destination-country regulations with the relevant authorities before entering into commercial transactions.