Hazelnuts market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian hazelnut market volume showed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023. It began at 155 thousand tons in 2018 before contracting to 137 thousand tons in 2019. This decline coincided with international criticism and government interventions that imposed stricter regulations on labor conditions and product quality, increasing operational costs and constraining supply.

After a sharp rebound to 183 thousand tons in 2020, the market volume fell to 114 thousand tons in 2021. During this year, Ferrero initiated its 'Progetto nocciola Italia', a long-term plan to develop 20,000 hectares of new hazelnut plantations by 2025 to boost domestic production. The market recovered to 151 thousand tons in 2022 and reached 155 thousand tons in 2023, driven by higher output despite significant cost pressures from rising production expenses, pest attacks, and regulatory uncertainty concerning sustainable pesticide use.

By 2024, the sector faced a substantial estimated drop in national production due to the compounded effects of climate change, including droughts, temperature swings, and infestations of the Asian bug. This supply shortage contributed to rising market prices. New EU marketing rules, mandating origin labeling for shelled hazelnuts, were introduced to strengthen the position of Italian produce against extra-EU competition, while Ferrero continued investments in research for more resilient and sustainable cultivation methods.

Production hazelnuts in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy maintained its position as the world's second-largest producer of hazelnuts by volume.

Top producers of hazelnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of hazelnuts, 2017-2020

In 2020, Italy produced 140.6 thousand tons of hazelnuts, marking a significant year-over-year increase of 42.7%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 98.5 thousand tons, representing the largest decline of 25.7% during this timeframe.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of hazelnut production in Italy reached 1 211 million US dollars, showing a sharp increase of 58.6% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 5.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%. The minimum value was observed in 2019 at 763 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 33.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports hazelnuts from Italy

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Italy exported 26 062 tons of hazelnuts, remaining relatively stable compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 8.6%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 3.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 25 924 tons, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 29 805 tons. The largest decline of 13.0% took place in 2019, whereas 2018 saw the highest increase of 4.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and Poland were the top destinations for Italy's hazelnut exports by volume. Germany accounted for 51.3% of exports, France for 18.6%, and Poland for 9.5%, collectively making up 79.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Italy's hazelnut export value stood at 224.5 million US dollars, showing a robust increase of 11.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value decreased by 9.8%, with an annualized decline rate of 3.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 200.8 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 259.0 million US dollars. The largest decline of 22.5% occurred in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, France, and Poland remained the leading destinations for Italy's hazelnut exports by value. Germany held a 51.3% share, France 19.7%, and Poland 10.2%, together comprising 81.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports hazelnuts to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy's hazelnut import volume increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 68 483 tons, which represents a 6.4% rise compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 48.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.1%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Chile, and Azerbaijan formed the core of Italy's hazelnut imports by volume. Turkey accounted for 58.6% of imports, Chile for 18.8%, and Azerbaijan for 8.2%, together making up 85.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Italy's hazelnut import value increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, recorded at 480.4 million US dollars, marking a 19.6% rise versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 44.1%, with an annualized growth rate of 12.9%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 311.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 6.5%. The largest increase of 28.8% occurred in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey and Chile dominated Italy's hazelnut imports by value, while other markets played a less significant role.

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

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