Introduction: Shelled Walnuts Industry Trends
Over the past decade, global demand for shelled walnuts has surged, driven by health trends, plant-based diets, and the growing popularity of unshelled walnuts and walnut 1 kg without shell packages. Industry reports (Statista, 2023) show world walnut kernel consumption exceeded 900,000 metric tons in 2022, with China and the USA as top producers. Yunnan province, China, has solidified its position as a global walnut export hub, offering advanced-grade products like Yunnan Walnut Kernels Extra Light Halves (ELH), Light Halves (LH).
1. Product Overview — Yunnan Walnut Kernels ELH & LH
Yunnan Walnut Kernels Extra Light Halves (ELH), Light Halves (LH) represent the pinnacle of shelled walnuts processing. Offering superior color, texture, and size uniformity, these products are widely used in food manufacturing, baking, nutrition bars, and healthy snacking. Their high grade makes them a global export standard, meeting stringent food safety and quality demands.
- Main forms: Halves, Quarters, Pieces
- Grades: Extra Light Halves (ELH), Light Halves (LH)
- Raw material: Premium Yunnan walnuts, naturally matured, no chemical bleaching
- Industry compliance: HACCP, ISO22000, FDA, BRC
2. Manufacturing Process: Shelled Walnuts Step-by-Step
Process Overview:
- Selection of Raw Walnuts (Moisture ↓
- Cleaning & Pre-washing (Removal of dust, foreign matter; high-pressure spray washes) ↓
- Cracking & Shell Removal (Hydraulic/screw cracking machines; custom toolings for unshelled walnuts yield balance) ↓
- Kernels Extraction (Manual + optical sorting; strict breakage controls for ELH/LH grades) ↓
- Screening & Grading (Size, color, and kernel integrity grading; double-deck sifting systems) ↓
- Final Inspection & Metal Detection (ISO22000 & FDA standards; 0.8mm Fe minimum detectability) ↓
- Packing & Vacuum Sealing (1kg, 5kg, 10kg, 25kg bulk, nitrogen-filled; food-grade polyethylene)
Illustration: Walnut Cracking, Extraction & Grading Flow
3. Technical Specifications: Product Data Comparison & Visualization
Below is a detailed parameter comparison of global shelled walnuts standards versus Yunnan ELH & LH specification:
| Parameter | Global Standard (Average) |
Yunnan ELH | Yunnan LH | Unshelled Walnuts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Color Grade | Light-amber | Extra Light (95%+) White/gold |
Light (85%-94%) | Natural |
| Kernel Rate | 48–53% | 53–56% | 51–54% | N/A |
| Moisture | <8.0% | <6.0% | <6.0% | 8–11% |
| Impurities | <0.1% | <0.01% | <0.01% | <0.1% |
| Breakage (Halves %) | 67–85% | ≥93% | ≥85% | N/A |
| Peroxide Value | <1.0 mmol/kg | <0.4 mmol/kg | <0.4 mmol/kg | <1.0 mmol/kg |
| Aflatoxin (B1) | <5μg/kg | <1.5μg/kg | <1.5μg/kg | <5μg/kg |
| Wholesale Packaging (kg) | 1 / 5 / 10 / 25 | 1 / 5 / 10 / 25 | 1 / 5 / 10 / 25 | 25 / 50 (bulk) |
4. Application Scenarios & Industry Use Cases
Application Fields:
- Food Manufacturing — Confectionery, granola bars, nut mixes
- Health Food Brands — Keto, vegan meal kits, protein snacks
- Bakery & Desserts — Cakes, pastries, bakery toppings (extra light halves for premium looks)
- Restaurant Chains — Salads, main dish garnishes (low breakage, high uniformity is prized)
- Export Trading — Bulk shelled walnuts & walnut 1 kg without shell packs for overseas B2B
Case: Global Snack Manufacturer (EU)
Background: Sourcing 100+ tons/month of shelled walnuts for healthy snack bar lines, needing consistent color (ELH required) and strict aflatoxin control.
Solution: Adopted Yunnan ELH grade. Received real-world peroxide testing data: ≤0.36mmol/kg and aflatoxin ≤1.2μg/kg, well below EU limits.
Result: Product complaints on color/bitterness dropped by 68% vs. prior supplier. Consumer taste scores up 1.4 pts (of 10). Purchase volume increased 39% within two quarters.
5. Technology Advantages & Production Strengths
- Material: Sourced only from Yunnan large-seed walnuts with high oil content (66–70%) and low residual bitterness.
- Processing: Combined manual & automated optical sorting for best ELH/LH integrity, breakage rate control to
- Machinery: Custom hydraulic cracker, anti-dust conveyors, food-grade (SUS304) contact surfaces, all lines FDA/ISO22000 certified.
- Testing/Standards: Each batch lab-tested for residual pesticide, peroxide, and Aflatoxin-B1 ≤ 1.5μg/kg. Metal detection per FDA HACCP/ISO22000 2018.
- Product Life: Shelf life 18 months at 18℃, 12 months at 25℃; oxygen-resistant, anti-UV vacuum packaging (double layer PE + PET foil).
- Industries served: Food processing, bakery, snack OEMs, hospitality groups, international brands.
- Certifications: BRC, HACCP, ISO22000, FDA registered, China Export Walnut Council member.
6. Manufacturers Comparison: Yunnan vs. California vs. Iran
| Criteria | Yunnan ELH/LH | California | Iran |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color Uniformity | 95% Extra Light, highly stable | 85% Light, some amber | 70%–80% Light/Amber |
| Halves Integrity | >93% | 75–80% | 68–78% |
| Pesticide Testing | Every batch (ISO22000/FDA) | Main annual batch | Sporadic |
| Certification | HACCP, BRC, FDA, ISO22000 | USDA, FDA, ISO22000 | ISO9001 |
| Packaging Innovation | Nitrogen flush + double-foil | Standard PE, some nitrogen | PE sacks |
| MOQ for Custom | 1,000kg | 2,500kg | 5,000kg |
7. Customization & OEM Service: Packaging/Specs/Private Label
- Custom Grades: Mix ratios (e.g. 60% ELH + 40% LH), quarter/whole blends, special sizing.
- Packaging: Bulk (1kg, 5kg, 10kg, 25kg), retail pouches, multilayer foil, private label with traceability QR.
- Logistics: Sea, air, rail, direct container111. Complete export paperwork and cold chain solutions.
- MOQ: 1,000 kg (OEM/labeling), 100 kg (standard bulk/no label).
- Lead time: 3–9 days for under 10 tons; 12–18 days for 1-3 container111s (30-75 tons orders).
- Technical support: OEM branding, new blend development, on-site audit welcome.
8. Customer Experience & Feedback
- EU Importer (2022): “Best consistency in color and halves we’ve seen. Lowered rejection from 6.5% to 1.3%.”
- South Asia Retail Brand: “Vacuum-packed 1kg walnut without shell stayed fresh for 10 months at 23℃.”
- North America Health Snack Co.: “Great peroxide freshness. Improved nutty flavor vs. US supply.”
- Quality audits by: SGS, Intertek, local food inspection — All passed, no residue or impurities above threshold in 2023 lots.
9. Professional FAQ — Key Terms & Industry Standards
- Q1: What material is used for Yunnan shelled walnuts ELH/LH?
- A: 100% Yunnan Dahei and Yunlong cultivars, harvested at full maturity. Natural, high oil content (66–70%), no genetically modified (non-GMO) sources.
- Q2: What are the main specification grades for shelled walnut kernels?
- A: Grades include Extra Light Halves (ELH), Light Halves (LH), Amber Halves (AH), Pieces. ELH offers >93% halves, premium color; LH at >85% halves.
- Q3: What ISO/FDA standards does your production comply with?
- A: ISO22000 (food safety management), HACCP (hazard control), BRC (retail global standard), and FDA CFR 21 part 110 (sanitary processing).
- Q4: What is the maximum aflatoxin B1 allowed by regulations in shelled walnuts?
- A: Per EU/ISO/FDA standards, max 5μg/kg. Yunnan ELH/LH averages below 1.5μg/kg as industry-leading safety.
- Q5: Which industries most commonly use these shelled walnuts?
- A: Food manufacturing (bakery, snacks), export traders, restaurant supply, health/nutraceuticals.
- Q6: What is the typical packaging for walnut 1kg without shell exports?
- A: Food-grade vacuum-sealed pouches (1kg), in cartons or bulk (5–25kg), all with anti-UV, nitrogen flush where requested.
- Q7: How long is the shelf life and what storage is recommended?
- A: Up to 18 months at 18°C, 12 months at 25°C. Cool, dry, low-light storage; avoid high humidity & temperature for best flavor retention.
10. Delivery Time, Warranty & Customer Support
- Delivery: For shelled walnuts under 10 tons, 3-9 working days; 1-3 container111 orders, 10–18 days.
- Warranty: Quality guarantee on color, moisture, foreign matters, residual peroxide, and aflatoxin for 12 months (under recommended storage).
- Customer Support: 7/24 technical and commercial support by English/Chinese speaking team. All export documentation and pre-shipment tests included.
- Sample/Trial Orders: 200g–1kg free sample, only freight charged.
11. Conclusion: Industry Outlook & Sources
The global shelled walnuts market is expected to grow at 6.8% CAGR in 2024-2029, driven by increasing awareness of plant protein and dietary fibers. Yunnan Walnut Kernels ELH/LH set a quality benchmark for color, purity, and food safety, with industry-leading testing and flexible custom/OEM supply. For importers and health food brands, focusing on certified sources and fully transparent processing will maximize value.
Post time:Aug . 01, 2025 06:40
