Hazelnuts market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The hazelnut market in Southern Europe saw considerable shifts between 2018 and 2023. In 2018, Ferrero's launch of the 'Progetto nocciola Italia' aimed to add 20 000 hectares of hazelnut orchards by 2025, setting a long-term foundation for supply. However, the market volume contracted to 164.5 thousand tons in 2019 as adverse weather conditions caused significant production losses in both Italy and Turkey, tightening supply. A rebound followed in 2020, with market volume surging to 206.8 thousand tons, supported by an excellent harvest campaign in Italy despite extreme drought in Turkey.

Market volume dropped sharply to 137.7 thousand tons in 2021 after spring frosts in April reduced the Italian crop by an estimated 30%. The subsequent recovery was driven by expanded cultivation area, which reached 94 529 hectares by 2022, enhancing domestic production capacity. Concurrently, Italy's reliance on imports from Turkey—which supplies about 70% of global hazelnuts—remained high, facilitating access. By 2023, market volume grew to 185.8 thousand tons, buoyed by strong international demand and a growing preference among Italian food manufacturers for domestic raw materials.

Production hazelnuts in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of hazelnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of hazelnuts, 2017-2020

In Southern Europe, hazelnut production reached 157.7 K t in 2020, marking a significant 32.1% increase from 2019. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 119.4 K t, which saw the largest decline of 20.0%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.3%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 2.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, hazelnut production in Southern Europe rebounded. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 371 M $ US, up by 44.8% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 947 M $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 23.3%. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 7.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.4%.

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

Exports hazelnuts from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, t

Southern Europe's hazelnut export volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 29 249 t, showing a slight decrease of 1.0% from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 33 581 t, which saw the largest increase of 9.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 12.0%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 4.5%, equating to an annualized decline of 1.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and Poland were the top destinations for hazelnut exports from Southern Europe in volume terms. Germany accounted for 48.4% of exports, France for 17.7%, and Poland for 8.6%, together comprising 74.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, hazelnut deliveries from Southern Europe amounted to 254.4 M $ US, representing a modest rise of 8.5% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 234.5 M $ US, which saw the largest decline of 15.7%. The highest value was in 2018 at 278.1 M $ US. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 3.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and Poland were the main buyers of hazelnuts from Southern Europe in value terms. Germany accounted for 49.0% of exports, France for 19.1%, and Poland for 9.3%, together making up 77.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports hazelnuts to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, t

Imported hazelnut volumes in Southern Europe increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 78 351 t, indicating a modest increase of 4.9% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 46.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Chile, and Azerbaijan consistently led as the top suppliers of hazelnuts to Southern Europe in volume terms. Turkey accounted for 58.9% of imports, Chile for 16.1%, and Azerbaijan for 7.3%, jointly accounting for 82.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Hazelnut import volumes in Southern Europe increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports came to 550.3 M $ US, marking a solid increase of 17.6% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 367.3 M $ US, which saw the largest decline of 4.4%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 27.4%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 43.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 12.7%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Chile, and Azerbaijan continued to head the list of suppliers of hazelnuts to Southern Europe in value terms. Turkey accounted for 59.0% of imports, Chile for 20.4%, and Azerbaijan for 6.9%, jointly taking 86.3% of total import value.

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

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