#1. 🇹🇷 Turkey’s Hazelnut Dominance: The Global Leader in 2023 and 2024

Turkey’s Hazelnut Production

According to the data provided:

– In the 2022/2023 crop season, Turkey’s total hazelnut supply was 467,800 metric tons.[1]
– For the 2023/2024 season, Turkey’s projected total supply is 512,500 metric tons, an increase of 9.6% compared to the previous year.[1]
– In 2021, Turkey produced 684,000 tons of hazelnuts, representing 64% of the world’s total production of 1,077,117 tons.[3][4]

Turkey’s hazelnut production is primarily concentrated along the Black Sea coast, within 19 miles of the coastline.[2] The country’s favorable climate and soil conditions make it an ideal location for hazelnut cultivation.

Despite challenges such as currency fluctuations and labor costs, Turkey remains the dominant force in the global hazelnut market.[1] The government’s intervention through the State Economic Enterprises (TMO) aims to stabilize prices and facilitate competitive export opportunities.[1]

While Turkey faced a slight lag in hazelnut exports compared to the previous year, the gap is gradually closing, with exports now only 15-16% behind.[1] Turkey’s hazelnut industry continues to adapt to market dynamics and capitalize on emerging opportunities to maintain its leading position in the global hazelnut trade.[1][2]

Sources:

[1] https://www.cardassilaris.com/news/hazelnut-market-total-supply-comparison-and-trends-for-2022/2023-vs-2023/2024-crop-seasons
[2] https://nationalnutgrower.com/news/report-hazelnut-market-increasing/
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazelnut
[4] https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/hazelnut-production-by-country
[5] https://lendingacres.com/2023/11/29/hazelnut-production-in-the-u-s/

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#2. 🇮🇹 Italy’s Hazelnut Harvest: A Key Player in Global Production

Italy’s Hazelnut Production

– In 2021, Italy produced 84,670 tons of hazelnuts, accounting for around 8% of global production.[4]

– Italy’s hazelnut production is concentrated in four main regions: Campania (around 50%), Piedmont, Lazio, and Sicily.[5]

– The Italian hazelnut growing area is expected to remain stable in the near future, with production mainly dependent on weather conditions and the alternate bearing cycle of the trees.[5]

– Italy has a significant domestic consumption of hazelnuts, particularly for its chocolate industry. It imports a substantial amount from Turkey to meet the demand.[5]

– While being the second-largest producer, Italy is also a major importer of hazelnuts, ranking among the top importing countries globally.[5]

– In terms of per capita consumption, Italy has one of the highest rates at 0.520 kg of hazelnut kernels per person per year, second only to Switzerland.[5]

Italy’s hazelnut production plays a crucial role in meeting domestic demand, especially for its renowned chocolate and confectionery industries. Despite being the second-largest producer, Italy relies on imports, primarily from Turkey, to supplement its hazelnut supply and cater to the high domestic consumption.[5]

Sources:

[1] https://www.indexbox.io/store/republic-of-korea-hazelnuts-market-analysis-forecast-size-trends-and-insights/
[2] https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-distribution-of-hazelnut-production-in-the-world_tbl1_367111822
[3] https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/hazelnut-production-by-country
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazelnut
[5] https://www.fao.org/4/x4484e/x4484e03.htm

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#3. 🇺🇸 Oregon’s Willamette Valley: The Heart of U.S. Hazelnut Production

United States’ Hazelnut Production

– In 2021, the United States produced 70,310 tons of hazelnuts, accounting for around 6.5% of global production.[4]

– The overwhelming majority of hazelnut production in the United States comes from the state of Oregon, specifically the Willamette Valley region.[4]

– The Willamette Valley is responsible for more than 99% of all hazelnut production in the United States and around 5% of global hazelnut production.[4]

– Oregon’s ideal climate and soil conditions make the Willamette Valley well-suited for hazelnut cultivation.[4]

– The United States is also one of the major exporters of hazelnuts globally, with Oregon being the primary exporting region.[4]

– While the United States is a significant producer, it still imports a substantial amount of hazelnuts, primarily from Turkey, to meet domestic demand.[4]

– The hazelnut industry in Oregon faces challenges such as labor shortages and pest management, but it continues to play a vital role in the global hazelnut market.[4]

The United States, driven by Oregon’s hazelnut production in the Willamette Valley, has solidified its position as the fourth-largest producer worldwide. Despite being a major exporter, the country relies on imports to supplement its domestic consumption, highlighting the importance of the global hazelnut trade.[4]

Sources:

[1] https://www.indexbox.io/store/republic-of-korea-hazelnuts-market-analysis-forecast-size-trends-and-insights/
[2] https://www.mundus-agri.eu/news/hazelnuts-pests-remain-problem-2024.n32708.html
[3] https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-distribution-of-hazelnut-production-in-the-world_tbl1_367111822
[4] https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/hazelnut-production-by-country
[5] https://www.freshplaza.com/north-america/article/9567191/usda-expects-turkey-to-produce-600-000-tons-of-hazelnuts-in-2023-24/

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#4. 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan’s Growing Hazelnut Industry: Key Insights for 2023 and 2024

Azerbaijan’s Hazelnut Production

– In the first quarter of 2022, Azerbaijan was the third-largest exporter of hazelnuts to global markets.[2]

– A total of 67,000 tons of hazelnuts were harvested in Azerbaijan in 2022.[2]

– In 2021, Azerbaijan produced 67,630 tons of hazelnuts, accounting for around 6% of global production.[4]

– Azerbaijan’s climate is ideal for cultivating almost all kinds of hazelnuts, and the industry is steadily growing each year.[2]

– The main hazelnut-producing regions in Azerbaijan are Gakh, Zagatala, and Balakan in the northern part of the country.[2]

– The Atababa variety, an ancient cultivar endemic to Azerbaijan, is grown in nearly 90% of the country’s hazelnut farms.[2]

– The Azerbaijan Hazelnut Producers and Exporters Consortium, comprising five leading domestic exporters and 12,000 individual farmers, exports hazelnuts to global markets in various forms, including shelled, kernel-based, chopped, and powdered.[2]

– The number of new hazelnut orchards in Azerbaijan increases by an average of 4-5% each year, indicating the industry’s growth potential.[2]

– The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is implementing a project worth $1.3 million aimed at increasing hazelnut production in Azerbaijan by incorporating new technologies and global know-how into local practices.[2]

Azerbaijan’s hazelnut industry has been steadily expanding, driven by favorable climatic conditions, government support, and the efforts of the Azerbaijan Hazelnut Producers and Exporters Consortium. With its diverse export offerings and increasing production capacity, Azerbaijan has solidified its position as the third-largest hazelnut producer globally.[2][4]

Sources:

[1] https://www.indexbox.io/store/republic-of-korea-hazelnuts-market-analysis-forecast-size-trends-and-insights/
[2] https://caspiannews.com/news-detail/azerbaijan-is-third-largest-hazelnut-exporter-in-the-world-2022-4-17-0/
[3] https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-distribution-of-hazelnut-production-in-the-world_tbl1_367111822
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazelnut
[5] https://www.freshplaza.com/north-america/article/9567191/usda-expects-turkey-to-produce-600-000-tons-of-hazelnuts-in-2023-24/

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#5. 🇬🇪 Revitalizing Tradition: Georgia’s Hazelnut Industry Today

Georgia’s Hazelnut Production

– In 2021, Georgia produced 46,000 tons of hazelnuts, accounting for around 4.3% of global production.[2]

– Hazelnut cultivation is an important agricultural sector in Georgia, with the nuts being one of the country’s major export commodities.[2]

– The main hazelnut-producing regions in Georgia are Samegrelo and Guria in the western part of the country, which have favorable climatic conditions for hazelnut cultivation.

– Georgia has a long tradition of hazelnut production, with some hazelnut orchards being over a century old.

– The Georgian hazelnut industry faced challenges in the past due to the lack of modern production techniques and equipment, leading to lower yields and quality issues.

– In recent years, the government has implemented programs to support the hazelnut sector, including providing subsidies for new orchards, introducing modern harvesting and processing equipment, and promoting exports.

– The Georgian Hazelnut Growers Association (GHGA) plays a crucial role in supporting hazelnut farmers, promoting sustainable practices, and facilitating access to international markets.

– Georgia’s hazelnut exports have been steadily increasing, with the European Union, Russia, and the United States being major export destinations.

Despite facing challenges in the past, Georgia’s hazelnut industry has been revitalized through government support, modernization efforts, and the activities of the GHGA. With its favorable climate and long-standing tradition, Georgia has solidified its position as the fifth-largest hazelnut producer globally, capitalizing on the growing demand for hazelnuts in international markets.[2]

Sources:

[1] https://www.indexbox.io/store/republic-of-korea-hazelnuts-market-analysis-forecast-size-trends-and-insights/
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazelnut
[3] https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/hazelnut-production-by-country
[4] https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-distribution-of-hazelnut-production-in-the-world_tbl1_367111822
[5] https://www.mundus-agri.eu/news/hazelnuts-pests-remain-problem-2024.n32708.html

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These five countries play a pivotal role in the global hazelnut industry, each contributing uniquely to production and market dynamics. From Turkey’s dominance to Georgia’s growing exports, the hazelnut market is both diverse and vital to numerous industries worldwide.