Hazelnuts market in France

Earlier Report Observations

Starting in 2018, the French hazelnut market was impacted by the national ban on the insecticide acetamiprid, which remained authorized in other European countries. This created a competitive distortion, raised production costs, and left French orchards more vulnerable to major pests like the hazelnut weevil and brown marmorated stink bug. As a result, domestic production fell from 15 660 t in 2018 to 9 960 t in 2022, contributing to a decline in total market volume from 39 906 t to 29 493 t over the same period.

In 2023, production rebounded to 17 160 t and market volume rose to 36 289 t. This recovery was linked to ongoing expansion of hazelnut acreage and a major investment plan by the leading cooperative Unicoque, which announced a €200 million project to triple output by 2030. However, French growers continued to face unfair competition from imported hazelnuts, especially from Turkey and Italy, where acetamiprid was still permitted.

By 2024, the sector confronted an acute crisis due to massive pest infestations and unfavorable weather conditions, leading to a reported near 65% drop in harvest. The acetamiprid ban remained in force, and the Duplomb bill aimed at reauthorizing it was partially overturned, underscoring the structural challenges of the French hazelnut industry.

Production hazelnuts in France

In kind, 2017-2020, t

France was among the world's leading hazelnut producers from 2017 to 2020, ranking 9th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of hazelnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of hazelnuts, 2017-2020

In 2020, France produced 12 660 tons of hazelnuts, marking an 8.6% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 13.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 15 660 tons, which represented a 40.9% increase from the prior year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline of 25.5%.

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

Exports hazelnuts from France

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, France exported 4 538 tons of hazelnuts, a 7.6% rise from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 20.2%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 6.3%. The peak export volume occurred in 2018 at 5 025 tons, which was a 33.1% jump from the previous year. However, exports fell by 16.1% in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and Spain were the primary destinations for French hazelnut exports, accounting for 80.6% of the total volume. Germany led with 37.3%, followed by Italy at 28.7%, and Spain at 14.6%.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

France's hazelnut exports in value terms grew for the second consecutive year, reaching 22.7 million US dollars in 2020, a 25.7% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 14.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 17.3 million US dollars, representing a 12.8% decline from the prior year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Italy, and Spain formed the core of France's hazelnut export value, collectively representing 72.3% of the total. Germany accounted for 34.8%, Italy for 23.5%, and Spain for 14.0%.

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

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

Imports hazelnuts to France

Imports in kind, t

France's hazelnut imports declined for the second year in a row in 2020, totaling 4 538 tons, a 1.1% decrease year-over-year. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 29 271 tons, which saw a 22.6% increase from the previous year. In 2019, imports dropped by 19.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey and Italy dominated France's hazelnut imports in volume, together making up 91.4% of the total, while other partners played a minor role.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, France's hazelnut import value increased in 2020, reaching 198.0 million US dollars, a 17.2% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 5.9%, with an average annual rate of 1.9%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 168.9 million US dollars, reflecting a 7.3% decrease from the prior year.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Turkey and Italy accounted for 92.2% of France's hazelnut import value, with the remainder distributed among other destinations with smaller shares.

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

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