Drought and Pests Cut Croatia’s Hazelnut Output, but Prices May Hold
Croatia’s hazelnut production fell from 3,334 tonnes in 2024 to 2,530 tonnes a year later as drought, hail and pests affected orchards. Imports are partly filling the gap, while initial market indications suggest domestic prices may remain near last year’s level.
Production drops by about 800 tonnes
Croatia’s hazelnut harvest has begun after drought, brief hail and pest pressure reduced the crop, but the contraction in domestic supply has not yet produced a clear signal of higher prices. According to Dnevnik.hr, national production fell from 3,334 tonnes in 2024 to 2,530 tonnes a year later, a decline of about 800 tonnes.
The experience of the Krznar family in Vrbovo Posavsko municipality illustrates the mixed conditions facing growers. The family planted 18 hectares of hazelnut trees and expects approximately one tonne of in-shell nuts per hectare this year. Grower Damir Krznar said the earliest forecasts had been catastrophic, but the expected result now appeared broadly in line with the previous year. Drought affected the crop, while a short hailstorm and poor kernel filling also limited the harvest.
Pest damage threatens saleable quality
Production volume is only part of the problem. Growers are also dealing with several pests, including the Asian stink bug. Damaged nuts can develop an unpleasant smell and taste, making them unacceptable to buyers even when they are collected successfully.
Krznar said the permitted crop-protection products had not proved effective. The family also tried ecological products and mechanical protection without success. These quality losses add to the work required after harvest, when nuts must be sorted, dried and stored correctly. Poor nuts and field debris are removed before acceptable material is sent for transport.
Imports cushion the domestic shortfall
Foreign supply is partly compensating for Croatia’s smaller crop. Dnevnik.hr reported that Croatia imported 348 tonnes of hazelnuts from Turkey and 200 tonnes from Italy last year. The total value of hazelnut imports exceeded €5 million. Those volumes provide processors, retailers and other buyers with an alternative source when domestic availability declines.
Initial indications nevertheless suggest that Croatian hazelnut prices will remain close to last year’s level. Krznar said there were also signals from Italy of a possible price decrease, although the outcome will become clearer only when buyers publish their purchasing prices. The combination of imports and weaker indications from Italy helps explain why Croatia’s production decline has not automatically translated into a domestic price increase. Harvest conditions will remain another variable: the start of the season was dry and favorable, but autumn weather is less predictable and could affect fieldwork, drying and storage.
