In-shell hazelnuts market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The in-shell hazelnut market in Central Asia expanded from 9 267 tons in 2018 to 10 320 tons in 2023. This growth was primarily fueled by a sharp increase in imports, which rose from 183 tons to 1 229 tons over the period, while domestic production remained stable at around 9 000 tons annually.

Early import growth was supported by the development of hazelnut plantations in Russia's North Ossetia, which began exporting to Uzbekistan in 2019. Subsequently, rising consumer demand for healthy snacks and protein-rich confectionery products further stimulated hazelnut consumption across the region. Major investments in hazelnut production in neighboring countries, such as the Pokrovsky concern's large-scale plantation expansion project in Russia, enhanced supply availability for Central Asian markets.

The most significant import surge occurred in 2022 and 2023, coinciding with the introduction of new product segments containing hazelnuts and sustained trade flows from key suppliers like Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. This import-driven expansion underscored the region's growing consumption despite stable local output.

Production in-shell hazelnuts in Central Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of in-shell hazelnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of in-shell hazelnuts, 2017-2020

In 2020, Central Asia produced 9,116 tons of in-shell hazelnuts, which was 1.5% higher than the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.6%, averaging an annual increase of 0.8%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decline of 1.3%, while the largest rise was in 2018, at 2.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports in-shell hazelnuts from Central Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. In 2019, exports reached their highest level, while 2020 saw the lowest, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 6.7 times. Central Asia exported 8.1 tons of in-shell hazelnuts in 2020, down by 85.1% from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 54.5 tons, with the largest increase that year at 290.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the leading destination for exports in kind, accounting for 32.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. There was a 6.6-fold variation between the maximum in 2019 and the minimum in 2020. In 2020, Central Asia's in-shell hazelnuts exports amounted to 33.8 thousand US dollars, marking an 84.8% decrease compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 221.8 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 407.0%.

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

In the period 2017–2020, the geographical structure of exports in value terms was centered on Turkey, which held a 14.6% share of total flows.

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

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

Imports in-shell hazelnuts to Central Asia

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year advance, Central Asia's in-shell hazelnuts import volume declined. In 2020, Central Asia imported 215.0 tons of in-shell hazelnuts, representing a 19.6% drop compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 19.7%, averaging an annual growth rate of 6.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 267.5 tons, with the largest increase that year at 46.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Azerbaijan and Georgia dominated imports in kind, together accounting for 94.6% of total flows, while other destinations made smaller individual contributions.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Central Asia's in-shell hazelnuts import volume amounted to 456.4 thousand US dollars, which was 8.3% lower than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 7.4%, averaging an annual rate of 2.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 343.8 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 497.6 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 19.1%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 44.7%.

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

Over 2017–2020, Azerbaijan and Georgia remained the main suppliers of in-shell hazelnuts to Central Asia, with a combined share of 91.1% of total imports in value terms, and the remainder fragmented across other countries.

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

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