In-shell hazelnuts market in France

Earlier Report Observations

The French in-shell hazelnut market began the period facing regulatory challenges, as the ban on neonicotinoid pesticides like acetamiprid complicated pest control against key threats such as the hazelnut weevil and stink bugs. A temporary derogation for acetamiprid use in 2017-2018 helped mitigate immediate impacts on production. After a market size dip to 33.1 million USD in 2019, the sector rebounded in 2020, with the market reaching 39.9 million USD, supported by a significant expansion of hazelnut orchard area, which had grown 63% since 2014.

Production and market volume became highly volatile due to extreme weather events. Severe frost in 2021 led to a sharp drop in harvests, though the market size still edged up to 41.0 million USD. A more pronounced freeze in 2022, combined with pest pressure, caused harvests to plummet again, pulling the market size down to 30.8 million USD. By 2023, despite rising production costs, the continued expansion of orchard area—multiplying 3.5-fold since the 2000s—enabled a strong recovery, with production surging and the market size jumping to 49.2 million USD.

The sector entered 2024 under severe stress, as rainy weather disrupted pollination and pests caused catastrophic harvest losses, threatening production. French cooperatives like Unicoque reported historic deficits, and growers intensified calls for reauthorizing acetamiprid to combat pests, while the Duplomb law passed in 2025 did not reinstate the pesticide. These challenges highlight the ongoing vulnerability of domestic supply in a market that relies heavily on imports to meet consumer demand for French hazelnuts.

Production in-shell hazelnuts in France

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, France maintained the 9th position globally in terms of in-shell hazelnut production volume.

Top producers of in-shell hazelnuts, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, France produced 12 660 tonnes of in-shell hazelnuts, marking an 8.6% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 13.9%, which translates to an annualized rate of 4.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 15 660 tonnes, following a significant increase of 40.9% that year. However, in 2019, production experienced its largest decline, dropping by 25.5%.

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

Exports in-shell hazelnuts from France

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, France exported 3 721 tonnes of in-shell hazelnuts, showing a 2.5% rise compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 40.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.1%. The peak export volume occurred in 2018 at 4 374 tonnes, driven by a substantial increase of 65.4% that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline, with exports falling by 17.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—Germany, Italy, and Spain—collectively accounted for 92.2% of France's total in-shell hazelnut exports by volume.

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, K $ US

France's in-shell hazelnut exports in monetary terms have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 15 625 thousand US dollars, up by 11.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 30.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and Spain dominated the export structure in value terms, with shares of 48.0%, 27.9%, and 16.1%, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 92.0% of France's total in-shell hazelnut export flows.

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

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

Imports in-shell hazelnuts to France

Imports in kind, t

France's imports of in-shell hazelnuts by volume have declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 330 tonnes, reflecting a sharp decrease of 18.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import volumes fell by 56.3%, corresponding to an annualized decline of 24.1%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Italy, Spain, and Germany were the primary sources for France's in-shell hazelnut imports by volume, with shares of 40.6%, 21.2%, and 11.5%, respectively. Combined, these three countries made up 73.2% of total import flows.

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, K $ US

After two years of decline, France's in-shell hazelnut imports in monetary terms rebounded in 2020. Imports amounted to approximately 2 411 thousand US dollars, a 10.9% increase from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 span, import value decreased by 26.8%, with an annualized rate of decline of 9.9%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 2 174 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 21.5% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Germany, and Spain remained the main destinations for France's in-shell hazelnut imports in value terms, with shares of 48.5%, 14.6%, and 10.6%, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 73.6% of total import flows.

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

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