In-shell hazelnuts market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The European in-shell hazelnuts market opened the period with a high volume of 172 thousand tonnes in 2018, supported by a significant expansion of hazelnut tree areas and rising demand linked to the popularity of nut-based spreads and pastries. A decline to 140 thousand tonnes followed in 2019, even as the global hazelnut market grew substantially. Market volume recovered sharply to 184 thousand tonnes in 2020, driven by continued area expansion and increasing consumption for confectionery uses.

Frost episodes in 2021 adversely affected hazelnut yields, contributing to a drop in market size to 135 thousand tonnes. From 2022 onward, the market expanded again despite heightened competition from U.S. nuts following the EU's elimination of import duties. This growth was underpinned by ongoing plantings and European initiatives promoting sustainable hazelnut cultivation. By 2023, the market reached 167 thousand tonnes, buoyed by strong global demand and product diversification into items like roasted hazelnuts and hazelnut oil.

Throughout the period, the cooperative Unicoque played a central role in structuring the French hazelnut sector, which is a key part of the European market. The sector maintained development ambitions, targeting a production increase to 30 thousand tonnes by 2030, although it remained susceptible to weather variability and international price pressures.

Production in-shell hazelnuts in Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of in-shell hazelnuts, 2017-2020

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

In 2019, Europe's production of in-shell hazelnuts reached its lowest point at 139.0 thousand tonnes, marking a significant decline of 20.4%. However, production rebounded sharply in 2020, reaching 182.3 thousand tonnes—a substantial 31.2% increase compared to the previous year. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 9.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.0%.

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

Exports in-shell hazelnuts from Europe

Exports in kind, t

Exports of in-shell hazelnuts from Europe showed notable fluctuations during this period. The lowest volume was recorded in 2017, while exports peaked in 2020 at 8,491 tonnes—a 50.2% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 33.0%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, at 94.6%. Overall, the gap between the highest and lowest export volumes was two-fold.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for Europe's in-shell hazelnut exports in volume terms were Kazakhstan, accounting for 2.4% of total exports, Norway at 1.5%, and Brazil with 0.7%. Together, these three countries represented 4.7% of all export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Europe's in-shell hazelnut exports in value terms have increased for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports reached 48,633 thousand US dollars, reflecting a strong year-over-year growth of 12.4%. Between 2017 and 2020, export value surged by 139.5%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 33.8%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Norway, Brazil, and Switzerland were the key partners for Europe's in-shell hazelnut exports in value terms. Norway accounted for 1.8% of total export value, Brazil for 0.6%, and Switzerland for 0.5%. Collectively, these three countries represented 3.0% of all export flows.

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

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

Imports in-shell hazelnuts to Europe

Imports in kind, t

Imports of in-shell hazelnuts into Europe have risen for three consecutive years. In 2020, import volume stood at 10,387 tonnes, showing a sharp increase of 56.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports grew by 76.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 20.9%.

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

The import structure for in-shell hazelnuts in Europe from 2017 to 2020 was highly diversified. Georgia led with 9.7% of total import volume, followed by the United States at 6.1% and Azerbaijan at 4.1%. Together, these top three countries accounted for just 19.9% of all imports, indicating that no single country held a dominant position.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Europe's imports of in-shell hazelnuts in value terms have increased for two consecutive years. In 2020, imports reached 44,449 thousand US dollars, up by 56.3% year-over-year. Over the 2017–2020 period, import value grew by 54.0%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 26,791 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 7.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner landscape for Europe's in-shell hazelnut imports in value terms was broad. Georgia accounted for 8.7% of total import value, the United States for 6.1%, and Chile for 3.9%. Together, these three countries represented only 18.7% of all import flows, with the remaining 81.3% coming from a wide range of other countries.

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

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