Pistachio

Iranian Pistachio Supplier, Processor and Exporter | YAR DIAMOND NUTS CO.

YAR DIAMOND NUTS CO., backed by several decades of experience in Iran’s dried fruit and nut industry, is engaged in the sourcing, purchasing, sorting, processing, packaging, and export of Iranian pistachios. The pistachio sourcing process at our company is not limited to purchasing the final product. In the months leading up to the harvest season, orchard conditions, crop development, variety quality, yield levels, and the requirements of export markets are carefully evaluated.

Our objective is to select pistachios that match the destination market, intended application, target price range, and technical specifications requested by the buyer. Therefore, every order is planned based on the approved sample, pistachio variety, size, open-shell percentage, kernel yield, shell color, and overall visual quality.

Orchard Inspection and Pre-Harvest Sampling

The pistachio harvest season in Iran generally begins in late August and continues through October, depending on the variety, growing region, and weather conditions. Before the harvest begins, the sourcing and commercial team of YAR DIAMOND NUTS CO. visits the main pistachio-producing regions and collects samples from orchards and trees.

The following characteristics are evaluated in the collected samples:

• Crop maturity
• Percentage of naturally open-shell pistachios
• Percentage of closed-shell pistachios
• Percentage of empty and partially filled pistachios
• Nut size and uniformity
• Shell color and condition
• Insect damage and staining
• Defect percentage
• Moisture level
• Kernel weight and kernel yield percentage

One of the most important criteria in pistachio purchasing is kernel yield. To calculate this indicator, a specified weight of pistachios is sampled, the hard shells are removed, and the net kernel weight is measured. The result helps determine whether each lot is more suitable for in-shell pistachio export, raw pistachio kernel production, food manufacturing, or specialized processing.

After evaluating the samples, the product specifications are matched with the requirements of the target market. Each country prefers different pistachio varieties and sizes based on consumer habits, purchasing power, packaging format, and final application. For this reason, product selection at YAR DIAMOND NUTS CO. is based on the buyer’s actual order requirements.

Available Iranian Pistachio Varieties

Iranian pistachios are commercially divided mainly into two principal categories:

• Long Pistachio
• Round Pistachio

YAR DIAMOND NUTS CO. sources and processes the main commercial varieties of Iranian pistachios according to seasonal availability, approved samples, and the buyer’s requested specifications.

Akbari Pistachio

Akbari pistachio is one of the most luxurious and elongated Iranian pistachio varieties and is internationally known as Akbari Super Long Pistachio.

This variety has a highly elongated shape, premium appearance, and strong market appeal. It is commonly selected for premium packaging, luxury nut assortments, gifts, and high-end markets. Akbari pistachios have significant demand in markets such as China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, India, and the Gulf countries.

This variety is sorted into different sizes, while larger, lighter-colored, and more uniform grades are selected for premium orders and retail packaging.

Ahmad Aghaei Pistachio

Ahmad Aghaei pistachio is one of the best-known elongated Iranian pistachio varieties and is internationally traded as Ahmad Aghaei Long Pistachio.

Its light-colored shell, elongated form, attractive appearance, and suitable kernel color make it appropriate for export, wholesale distribution, retail packaging, and food manufacturing.

Ahmad Aghaei pistachios are popular in markets such as China, South Korea, Japan, Arab countries, and certain European markets. This variety offers a suitable balance between quality, premium appearance, supply availability, and price.

Fandoghi Pistachio

Fandoghi pistachio is one of Iran’s most important round and economical pistachio varieties and is internationally known as Akbari Super Long Pistachio. Due to its round shape, smaller size, higher number of nuts per kilogram, and competitive price, this variety holds an important position in bulk pistachio exports.

Fandoghi pistachios are suitable for high-volume markets, economical packaging, wholesalers, distributors, and food manufacturers. The ability to supply this variety in different sizes and large volumes has made it one of the most widely consumed Iranian export pistachios.

Kalleh Ghouchi Pistachio

Kalleh Ghouchi pistachio, also known as Kalleh Ghouchi Jumbo Pistachio, has round, large nuts with substantial kernels. Its prominent appearance and large size make it suitable for markets where visual impact and nut size are particularly important.

Kalleh Ghouchi pistachios are widely used by premium nut retailers, gift-packaging companies, Arab markets, and high-end retail stores.

In addition to these four main varieties, Badami, Khanjari, Shahpasand, and certain regional pistachio varieties can also be supplied according to seasonal availability and the buyer’s requested specifications.

Purchasing and Selecting Export Pistachios

Pistachio purchasing at YAR DIAMOND NUTS CO. is carried out based on an approved sample and the technical specifications of the order. Products may be sourced directly from farmers, reputable producers, or trusted processing centers.

Before final purchasing, the following factors are evaluated:

• Variety and production region
• Crop year
• Naturally open-shell percentage
• Closed-shell percentage
• Percentage of empty and partially filled pistachios
• Size or number of nuts per ounce
• Kernel yield percentage
• Shell and kernel color
• Breakage percentage
• Moisture
• Staining, insect damage, and adhering hull
• Product uniformity
• Suitability for the destination market

After sample approval, each lot is purchased and entered into the preparation process under a specific identification code. This system helps maintain product traceability from purchasing through packaging and export.

Pistachio Cleaning and Sorting

After the product arrives, the pistachios enter the cleaning, separation, and sorting stages. First, foreign materials such as stones, soil, leaves, branches, hull residues, and other unwanted particles are removed.

Lightweight, empty, partially filled, broken, stained, and damaged pistachios are then separated from sound products. Depending on the order specifications, this process is carried out using mechanical equipment, screens, air systems, weight-based separators, color sorting, and manual inspection.

Pistachios are also separated according to shell condition into the following categories:

• Naturally open-shell pistachios
• Closed-shell pistachios
• Semi-open pistachios
• Empty pistachios
• Broken pistachios
• Stained or insect-damaged pistachios

Following initial separation, pistachios are sized according to the number of nuts per ounce. Sizes such as 18–20, 20–22, 22–24, 24–26, 26–28, 28–30, and 30–32 can be supplied depending on the pistachio variety and customer requirements.

The lower the count number, the larger the pistachio size. However, each variety must be sized independently because the shape and structure of Akbari, Ahmad Aghaei, Fandoghi, and Kalleh Ghouchi pistachios differ from one another.

During color sorting, pistachios with dark, brown, yellow, stained shells, adhering hull, or an abnormal appearance are removed. At the final stage, the product is manually inspected to improve the uniformity and overall quality of the export shipment.

Raw Pistachio Kernels and Green Pistachio Kernels

In addition to in-shell pistachios, YAR DIAMOND NUTS CO. supplies various types of raw pistachio kernels and processed pistachio products according to customer requirements.

Available products include:

• Whole raw pistachio kernels
• Pistachio kernel halves
• Broken pistachio kernels
• Split pistachio kernels
• Pistachio kernels with skin
• Double-peeled green pistachio kernels
• Pistachio slivers
• Pistachio powder
• Pistachio paste

Double-peeled green pistachio kernels are internationally known as Green Peeled Pistachio Kernels or Double-Peeled Pistachio Kernels. This product is mainly used in the chocolate, ice cream, gelato, baklava, confectionery, pistachio cream, and premium food industries.

Green pistachio kernels are generally produced from early-harvest pistachios with a suitable green color. After the hard shell is removed, the thin skin covering the kernel is also removed through a controlled process. The kernels are then sorted according to green color intensity, size, breakage percentage, and uniformity.

Due to their natural green color, visual quality, and specialized applications, green pistachio kernels are considered a valuable product for the European, Japanese, and South Korean markets, as well as for professional food manufacturers.

Export Pistachio Quality Control

After sorting is completed, samples are collected from each lot and evaluated according to the contract specifications and the requirements of the destination country.

Quality control parameters may include:

• Moisture
• Aflatoxin
• Open-shell percentage
• Closed-shell percentage
• Empty and broken pistachio percentage
• Foreign materials
• Insect damage
• Mold and visual contamination
• Color and uniformity
• Product size and weight

After quality approval, a final sample may be sent to the buyer, and order preparation is carried out according to the same reference sample.

Export Pistachio Packaging

In-shell pistachios are normally packed in 50 kg and 60 kg export sacks. 25 kg packaging can also be provided upon customer request.

Depending on the product type and destination market, the following packaging options are available:

• Export sacks
• Inner liners
• Multi-layer bags
• Cartons
• Vacuum packaging
• Nitrogen-flushed packaging
• Buyer-specific packaging

Pistachio kernels and green pistachio kernels are generally packed in moisture- and oxygen-resistant packaging, either vacuum-sealed or nitrogen-flushed, to preserve their color, flavor, and quality during storage and transportation.

Loading and Export of Iranian Pistachios

After final weight control, packaging, sealing, and preparation of export documentation, the finished products are loaded into standard shipping containers.

A significant portion of YAR DIAMOND NUTS CO.’s exports is shipped in 40-foot High Cube containers. The arrangement of sacks or cartons inside the container is planned according to permitted weight, packaging type, ventilation, transportation conditions, and destination.

YAR DIAMOND NUTS CO. has experience in supplying and exporting Iranian pistachios and dried fruits and nuts to markets including:

• China
• Hong Kong
• Vietnam
• South Korea
• Japan
• Iraq
• United Arab Emirates
• Neighboring countries
• Arab markets

For every market, the variety, size, sorting method, laboratory specifications, and packaging are selected according to the buyer’s requirements. Our objective is not simply to supply a generic product, but to provide pistachios suited to the intended application, target price, sales market, and standards of the destination country.

YAR DIAMOND NUTS CO. manages every stage of Iranian pistachio sourcing, orchard selection, sampling, purchasing, sorting, quality control, packaging, and export with a focus on consistent quality, traceability, reliable supply, and meeting the requirements of wholesale buyers.