Hazelnuts market in China

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the hazelnut market in China experienced significant volume fluctuations, largely driven by varying import levels while domestic production remained relatively stable. This stability was supported by ongoing modernization efforts in key producing regions, notably Kaiyuan City, which began transforming its hazelnut processing industry from rudimentary methods toward specialization and mechanization in 2018, with plans to introduce deep processing by 2025. The policy focus continued through 2022, emphasizing quality improvement, green agriculture, and rural revitalization, helping to maintain annual production between 24 500 and 25 800 t.

Market volume peaked at 45 500 t in 2022 before declining to 37 900 t in 2023. The drop was partly driven by global supply factors, including an expected decrease in Turkey's hazelnut output for the 2023/24 season, which tightened worldwide availability and reduced import flows into China. Concurrently, domestic demand for hazelnuts grew due to rising health consciousness and accelerated innovation in deep-processed products such as hazelnut paste and chocolate, supporting steady production. The activity of major companies like Hangzhou Haomusi Food Co., Ltd. and Qingdao Wolong Food Co., Ltd. also contributed to market dynamism.

Production hazelnuts in China

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, China ranked sixth globally in hazelnut production.

Top producers of hazelnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of hazelnuts, 2017-2020

In 2020, China produced 24,939 tons of hazelnuts, representing a 1.7% increase from the previous year. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 25,170 tons, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 2.5% drop. The most significant increase was seen in 2018, when production rose by 2.7%.

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

Exports hazelnuts from China

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 10.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, China exported 22 tons of hazelnuts, marking a sharp 80.0% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 112 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 817.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Kyrgyzstan formed the main cluster of markets for hazelnut exports by volume. Hong Kong accounted for 62.6% of exports, South Korea for 15.6%, and Kyrgyzstan for 14.9%, together representing 93.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Export values varied 8.2 times from the low in 2020 to the high in 2019. In 2020, China's hazelnut exports amounted to 42 thousand US dollars, showing a dramatic 87.8% reduction from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 347 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 277.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong and Kyrgyzstan were the dominant destinations for hazelnut exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 82.4% of total flows, with the remaining share distributed among other markets.

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

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

Imports hazelnuts to China

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, China imported a total of 19,948 tons of hazelnuts, constituting a 46.5% reduction compared to the previous year. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 19,948 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 151.2%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the United States consistently accounted for 70.6% of China's hazelnut imports by volume, indicating a high concentration on this market, while the remainder was shared among other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import values reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, differing by 2.3 times. In 2020, China imported 44,347 thousand US dollars worth of hazelnuts, representing an abrupt 36.0% fall compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 69,342 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 104.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey and the United States clearly dominated the partner structure for hazelnut imports in value terms, while other countries together formed the remaining share.

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

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