Seeds ExporterPine Nuts exporter — Pakistan origin
Chilgoza pine nuts (Pinus gerardiana) from the forests of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are exported by Kohenoor International in-shell and as kernels, Grade A, under HS 080290, in 10 kg and 25 kg packs with a 500 kg MOQ. Harvest is October–December and the cones are hand-collected from wild stands.
Chilgoza is a long, slender nut with a resinous flavour distinct from Mediterranean or Chinese pine nuts. It is sold as a premium snack in the Gulf and China and to confectioners in the UK, Germany and the US.
Quick answer
Specification
Standard export specification for pine nuts, as it appears on the pro forma invoice and the lot report. Custom specifications (higher purity, treated seed, different pack, private label) are quoted on request.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Pinus gerardiana |
| HS code | 080290 |
| Varieties / grades | Chilgoza in-shell, Kernels |
| Purity | Grade A |
| Germination | Not tested — edible / industrial grade |
| Forms | In-shell (raw), kernels (raw, vacuum-packed) |
| Grade | A (count and defect sorted) |
| Moisture | 5% max kernels; 8% max in-shell |
| Nut length (in-shell) | 20–25 mm |
| Kernel count | approx. 1,100–1,300 per kg |
| Broken / shrivelled kernels | 2% max |
| Foreign matter | 0.5% max |
| Colour / appearance | Cream to light tan kernel, no dark or oily spots |
| Aflatoxin B1 / total | Within EU limits (2 / 4 ppb), tested per lot |
| Free fatty acid | 1% max |
| Packing | 10 kg vacuum bags in carton (kernels); 25 kg PP bags (in-shell) |
| Shelf life | 12 months in-shell; 6 months kernels chilled |
| Packing | 10 kg / 25 kg |
| MOQ | 500 kg |
| Origin | Pakistan (Sindh / Punjab unless stated) |
Varieties and grades
In-shell (raw). Whole nuts 20–25 mm long in their thin brown shell, sun-dried and screen-graded, packed in 25 kg PP bags. Buyers in the Gulf, Pakistan's diaspora markets and China roast and salt them in-shell as a premium snack; in-shell nuts keep 12 months, twice as long as kernels, so importers who roast locally prefer them.
Kernels (Grade A). Hand-cracked, sorted for size and defects (2% max broken or shrivelled), packed in 10 kg vacuum bags inside cartons and shipped chilled or in insulated containers. Confectioners, bakers and speciality retailers in the UK, Germany, the US and the Gulf buy kernels for baklava, cakes, pesto and salad use.
Chilgoza is a wild crop and Kohenoor buys from collector cooperatives under a buy-back arrangement; there are no cultivated grades, and annual volume depends on the cone yield of the forests.
Uses by industry
Who buys pine nuts from Pakistan and what they do with it.
- Snack roasters and dry-fruit traders. In-shell nuts roasted and salted for the Gulf, Pakistan, India and China; the largest volume.
- Confectioners and bakers. Kernels for baklava, ma'amoul, cakes and biscuits in the UK, Germany, the US and the Gulf.
- Speciality and organic retail. Kernels re-packed into 100–250 g retail packs for pesto, salad and gourmet use.
- Food service. Kernels for Middle Eastern and Mediterranean restaurant kitchens.
- Ingredient manufacturers. Kernels for nut mixes, granola and energy bars.
Quality control and testing
Pine Nuts ship on a certificate of analysis from our laboratory or an accredited third-party laboratory in Karachi. Depending on the buyer's use the COA covers moisture, foreign matter, colour, particle or piece size, heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury), microbiology and, where relevant, the marker compound the buyer prices on. Product is sorted by hand or on screens and, for some grades, Sortex, then held in sealed lined packs in a dark, dry store until loading.
Sampling: composite from at least 10 packs, 1 kg sealed reference kept for 12 months, lot number on the COA, packing list and every pack. An MSDS accompanies every shipment and HACCP procedures cover drying, sorting and packing.
Pine nuts are released on a COA covering moisture, kernel count, broken and shrivelled percentage, foreign matter, free fatty acid and aflatoxin B1 and total at an accredited laboratory (EU limits 2 / 4 ppb for nuts for direct consumption). Kernels are hand-cracked and sorted under HACCP conditions, vacuum-packed the same day to stop rancidity, and held chilled until loading; in-shell nuts are sun-dried to 8% moisture and screened for size.
How to verify on arrival. Composite-sample at least 10 packs, seal it, and test within 14 days at your own laboratory using the methods named on the COA. Moisture and foreign matter are checked first; heavy metals and microbiology are compared against the COA method limits. Discrepancies reported within 30 days are re-tested on the retained reference sample.
Packing, loading and shipping
Standard packing for pine nuts is 10 kg / 25 kg, in PE-lined cartons. Each pack is printed or labelled with product, variety or grade, lot number, net weight, origin (Pakistan), exporter and any text the importing country's labelling rules require, and closed with a sewn tear-off tag. Private-label printing is available with artwork two weeks before loading.
A 20ft container carries about 12–14 MT (about 1,200 x 10 kg per 20ft) loose-stacked on a kraft-paper floor in a brick pattern with a cardboard door wall; a 40ft carries about 20–22 MT (40ft HC). Palletised loads on ISPM 15 heat-treated pallets take roughly 10% less and are used for Europe, East Asia, North America and Australia where the container is unloaded by forklift. Desiccant bags are added for humid destinations on request. Every stuffing is photographed from empty box to applied seal and the photos go to the buyer the same day with the packing list. Full figures for every product are in the container loading guide.
Storage and shelf life. In-shell nuts keep 12 months in a cool, dry store; kernels keep 6 months vacuum-packed and chilled (below 5 °C) or 3 months at ambient. Rancidity is the failure mode, so kernels should be kept sealed and cold until use.
| Container | Net cargo | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 20ft standard | 12–14 MT | about 1,200 x 10 kg per 20ft; loose on kraft-paper floor |
| 40ft / 40ft HC | 20–22 MT (40ft HC) | Weight-limited on dense seed; volume-limited on light seed |
| Palletised (any size) | ≈ 10% less | ISPM 15 pallets, shrink-wrapped and strapped |
| LCL / air | 500 kg by air; 1–5 MT LCL | Higher per-kg rate; used for trial lots |
Documents and import compliance
Every container of pine nuts leaves with the phytosanitary certificate from the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) Karachi carrying the importer's additional-declaration wording, a certificate of origin from the Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce, the certificate of analysis and MSDS, commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading, plus a fumigation certificate and pre-shipment inspection report where the destination requires them. The table lists what the main destinations for this product ask for; the documents guide explains each certificate and the import guide shows the sequence.
| Country | Authority | Documents required | Transit from Karachi |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | MOCCAE | Phytosanitary certificate; Certificate of origin; ISTA test report; commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading | 7–10 days sea from Karachi |
| Saudi Arabia | MEWA / SFDA | Phytosanitary certificate; Certificate of origin; SABER registration where applicable; commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading | 8–12 days sea |
| China | GACC | Phytosanitary certificate; Certificate of origin; GACC registration; commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading | 18–24 days sea |
| United States | USDA APHIS | Phytosanitary certificate; Certificate of origin; APHIS import permit where required; commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading | 30–40 days sea |
| United Kingdom | APHA / DEFRA | Phytosanitary certificate; Certificate of origin; IPAFFS pre-notification; commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading | 22–26 days sea |
| Germany | BVL / EU | Phytosanitary certificate; Certificate of origin; EU TRACES CHED-PP; commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading | 22–26 days sea |
HS classification. Pine nuts, in-shell or shelled, are HS 0802.90 (other nuts). EU and UK imports of nuts are subject to aflatoxin controls and enter as food with a COA and CHED-D; the US importer files FDA prior notice; China and the Gulf clear on the phytosanitary certificate, certificate of origin and COA. Duty is zero in the EU (GSP+) and low in the Gulf and US.
Season, new crop and availability
Cones are collected October–December; in-shell nuts ship from November and kernels from December after cracking, sorting and aflatoxin testing. Chilgoza is a wild crop and volumes vary by year, so we confirm availability against each enquiry and hold reserved stock for repeat buyers.
Gulf snack traders buy heavily in November–January for the winter season; confectioners in Europe and the US order December–March. Prior-season in-shell stock is available April–October from cool storage; kernels are cracked to order from in-shell stock.
The availability calendar shows every product month by month, and prior-crop lots are always described as such on the pro forma.
Price factors and how to get today's rate
Kohenoor does not publish a price for pine nuts because a price is only meaningful for a specific lot, grade, pack, quantity and date. A firm FOB Karachi or CIF quote in USD per kg or per MT comes back within 24 hours of an enquiry and is held for 7–14 days. What moves the number, in order of size:
- Crop year and timing. Pre-harvest bookings are fixed and usually lowest; spot prices rise in a short crop or when prior-crop stock runs down before new crop. Difference between the two can be 15–20%.
- Grade and purity. Kernels cost roughly three times in-shell by weight because of the cracking loss and hand sorting; Grade A count and defect sorting, vacuum packing and chilled shipping add cost. Price moves with the wild harvest, which varies by 30–50% between years.
- Packing. 25 kg loose bags are the base; 50 kg is slightly cheaper per kg; 10 kg, cartons, private label and palletising add 2–8%.
- Quantity. Each additional container in one contract is priced 2–5% lower; LCL lots cost 20–40% more per kg because inspection, documents and handling are the same for 2 MT as for 20 MT.
- Incoterm. FOB Karachi is the base; CIF adds freight and insurance at the current line rate for your port; road delivery to Afghanistan, Iran and Central Asia is priced per truck.
- Tests and treatment. Third-party COA, residue or aflatoxin panels, SGS inspection, fumigation and seed treatment are itemised at cost.
Samples. 200 g to 1 kg from the offered lot is free against courier charges (typically USD 40–90) and goes out with the current report. Larger trial lots are invoiced at the container rate. The full logic, MOQ table and sample policy are on seed prices and MOQ.
How this compares
Buyers of Pakistani nuts and edible seeds compare chilgoza with sesame and with rose petals only in the sense of shipping economics: all three are sold by the kg and carry a COA. The table compares chilgoza with the other pine nuts in the trade instead.
| Criterion | Pine Nuts | Chinese / Korean pine nuts (Pinus koraiensis) | Mediterranean pine nuts (Pinus pinea) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Pinus gerardiana | Pinus koraiensis (China / Korea) | Pinus pinea (Mediterranean) |
| Kernel shape | Long, slender, 20–25 mm | Short, plump, triangular | Long, ivory, 15–20 mm |
| Flavour | Soft, resinous | Mild, buttery | Sweet, delicate |
| Origin | Wild, Pakistan / Afghanistan | Wild and semi-cultivated | Cultivated and wild |
| Typical use | Roasted snack, confectionery | Pesto, bakery, bulk | Pesto, gourmet |
| Shell | Thin, easy to crack | Hard | Very hard |
| Availability | Oct–Dec, variable | Year-round | Year-round |
Markets served
Kohenoor has shipped pine nuts to United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, China, United States, United Kingdom, Germany. Demand comes from Gulf and Chinese snack traders, confectioners in the UK, Germany and the US, and speciality retailers who value the distinct chilgoza flavour. Each destination has its own permit and phytosanitary wording; the country pages under markets summarise them and we prepare the certificate to match before DPP inspection.
Specialist site and further reading
Detailed agronomy, variety trials and technical downloads for pine nuts are published on our specialist site herbnseed.com. For pricing, MOQ and shipping use the quote form on this page; the lab and sorting line are described on the quality page, and all 28 lines are listed under products.
Frequently asked questions
Are chilgoza pine nuts the same as Chinese or Mediterranean pine nuts?
No. Chilgoza (Pinus gerardiana) is longer and more slender than Chinese P. koraiensis and has a softer, more resinous taste than Mediterranean P. pinea. It is priced separately in the trade and sold mainly as a roasted in-shell snack.
Why is the MOQ 500 kg?
Chilgoza is a wild-collected, high-value nut with variable annual supply, so most buyers work in 500 kg to 5 MT lots by air or LCL rather than full containers.
How are kernels packed for export?
Vacuum-sealed 10 kg bags inside cartons, palletised, and shipped chilled in reefer or insulated containers on request. In-shell nuts go in 25 kg PP bags.
Do you test pine nuts for aflatoxin?
Yes, at an accredited laboratory in Karachi before loading for every lot, against EU limits of 2 ppb B1 and 4 ppb total. Results are attached to the certificate of analysis.
How long do chilgoza kernels keep?
Six months vacuum-packed and chilled below 5 °C, three months at ambient. In-shell nuts keep 12 months in a cool, dry store, which is why roasters who process locally prefer in-shell.
Are the nuts wild or cultivated?
Wild. Cones are hand-collected from natural Pinus gerardiana forests in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by collector cooperatives under a buy-back arrangement; there is no cultivated chilgoza.
How much do pine nuts fit in a container?
12–14 MT of in-shell nuts in 25 kg bags in a 20ft, 20–22 MT in a 40ft HC; kernels in cartons pack 10–12 MT per 20ft. Most buyers ship 500 kg to 5 MT by air or LCL.
When are new-crop chilgoza available?
In-shell from November after the October–December collection; kernels from December after cracking, sorting and aflatoxin testing. Volumes vary with the forest cone yield, so we confirm availability per enquiry.
Can I get roasted and salted pine nuts?
Roasting is done by the importer or a partner facility in Pakistan on request; we export raw in-shell and raw kernels as standard because roasted nuts have a shorter shelf life in transit.
What documents accompany pine nuts to the EU or UK?
Certificate of analysis with aflatoxin results, phytosanitary certificate, certificate of origin (GSP+), packing list, invoice and bill of lading; the importer files a CHED-D in TRACES or IPAFFS in the UK before arrival.
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