The conflict in the Middle East did not only cause energy prices to rise, but also affected the prices of many food products, including pistachios. Due to high demand and supply disruptions following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, their prices have risen to their highest level in almost eight years. Bloomberg reported about it.
The agency said pistachio prices rose to $4.57 (3.87 euros) per pound (453.59g) in March. This is the highest price since May 2018. It was significantly affected by the war in the Middle East, which began on February 28 with the attack on Iran by Israel and the United States.
Pistachios are known not only as snacks, but are also widely used in desserts, ice cream and some soft drinks. A decrease in their production or export can therefore be quickly seen on the food markets. Iran is the second largest producer of pistachios in the world.
Even before the war, trade with Iranian pistachios was tense. In 2025, the harvest in Iran was lower than expected and, according to analysts, the current conflict has worsened the situation on the market. Expana Markets analyst Nick Moss told Bloomberg that pistachios are particularly sensitive to complications in the Middle East, as the region is not only a major producer but also an important transit hub.
In addition, the demand for this commodity has increased significantly. The consumption of pistachios increased after the craze for “Dubai chocolate,” which contains pistachios, broke out at the end of 2023. In addition to the Middle East, demand for it has increased significantly in Europe and Asia. In addition, companies such as Häagen-Dazs, which is a producer of premium ice cream, or the coffee chain Starbucks have started to add pistachio as a new flavor to their products. This increased the demand, which was already high before.
The largest producer of pistachios in the world is the United States. They account for approximately 40% of global production. However, even supplies from the USA cannot mitigate the current high prices.
However, the main reason for the increase in prices to an eight-year high is the war in Iran, which disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Two days after the US and Israel attacked Iran, shipping companies canceled new orders to the Middle East and markets such as India also suffered. If the conflict continues, it is likely that food companies will raise prices, change recipes or replace pistachios with other nuts.
