Hazelnuts market in Belarus

Earlier Report Observations

The hazelnut market volume in Belarus experienced a multi-year decline from 1,851 metric tons in 2018 to 1,702 metric tons in 2021. This contraction was primarily driven by a sustained increase in exports, which more than offset modest import growth. The rising export volumes were facilitated by the nascent industrial cultivation of hazelnuts, including the establishment of the first commercial plantations in the Minsk region, and were further supported by export negotiations with Italian confectionery manufacturers.

Local production remained relatively stable during this period, bolstered by continuous investment in new orchards and the introduction of climate-adapted hazelnut varieties. However, the market dynamics shifted sharply in 2022 when the volume surged to over 2,000 metric tons. This spike was fueled by a substantial rise in imports, coinciding with legislative amendments regulating the import and export of plants and the implementation of a state price control system, which altered trade and pricing conditions.

The market volume then fell drastically to 1,093 metric tons in 2023. This steep decline was concurrent with the continued enforcement of price regulations and heightened scrutiny over participants in state procurement procedures, factors which corresponded with a sharp reduction in import volumes during that year.

Production hazelnuts in Belarus

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Belarus ranked 16th globally in hazelnut production.

Top producers of hazelnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of hazelnuts, 2017-2020

Belarus's hazelnut production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 286 tonnes of hazelnuts, showing no significant change compared to 2019. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 276 tonnes, which represented a slight decline of 0.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Belarus in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports hazelnuts from Belarus

Exports in kind, t

Belarus's hazelnut exports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 401.3 tonnes, marking a 34.9% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 1 801.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 166.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belarus in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Russia dominated Belarus's hazelnut export structure in volume terms, accounting for 98.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Belarus in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Belarus's hazelnut exports in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 523 thousand US dollars, up by 104.3% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 3 069.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 216.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belarus in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Belarus's hazelnut exports in value terms were almost entirely concentrated in Russia, which held a share of 93.0%.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Belarus in value, 2017-2020

Imports hazelnuts to Belarus

Imports in kind, t

Belarus's hazelnut imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 840.5 tonnes, reflecting a modest increase of 5.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 95.9%, with an annualized growth rate of 25.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belarus in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the principal sources for Belarus's hazelnut imports in volume terms were Georgia (52.8% of imports), Azerbaijan (24.1%), and Turkey (19.7%), which together accounted for 96.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Belarus in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Belarus's hazelnut imports in value terms declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 3 757 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a gradual decrease of 7.9% year-over-year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 079 thousand US dollars, following a significant increase of 42.0% in 2018. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 43.6%, with an annualized growth rate of 12.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belarus in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Georgia (46.6% of imports in value terms), Azerbaijan (27.0%), and Turkey (23.3%) played the leading roles in Belarus's hazelnut imports, jointly accounting for 96.9% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Belarus in value, 2017-2020