In-shell hazelnuts market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The in-shell hazelnut market in Western Europe opened the period with a value of 51.6 million US dollars in 2018, supported by rapid growth in global hazelnut trade and expanded cultivation areas in France. A contraction followed in 2019, bringing the market down to 36.9 million US dollars. By 2020, market value recovered to 46.4 million US dollars, fueled by rising consumer demand for organic and sustainably certified hazelnuts, as well as the development of new product segments like vegan spreads and premium baked goods.

In 2021, the market grew further to 52.8 million US dollars despite increasing production costs due to higher agricultural input and energy prices, partly offset by more mechanized and organized farming practices in Europe. The following year saw a sharp drop to 38.6 million US dollars, primarily caused by climate change impacts and pest infestations that significantly reduced French hazelnut yields, compounded by restrictive EU legislation on plant protection products.

A production crisis in Italy and Turkey in 2023, triggered by frosts, water stress, and Asian bug infestations, led to record hazelnut price increases of over 50%, driving the Western European market value up to 59.3 million US dollars. Into 2024, factors pointed to continued production declines in France due to massive pest attacks and adverse weather, keeping prices at historically high levels, while major players like Ferrero invested in research and supply chain diversification to mitigate future risks.

Production in-shell hazelnuts in Western Europe

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, Western Europe produced 12 660 tonnes of in-shell hazelnuts, an 8.6% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 13.9%, averaging an annual growth rate of 4.4%. The highest production level was in 2018 at 15 660 tonnes, which saw a 40.9% increase. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 25.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of in-shell hazelnut production in Western Europe reached 53 667 thousand US dollars, a solid 21.1% rise year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 44 305 thousand US dollars, marking a 21.0% decline, while the peak was in 2018 at 56 053 thousand US dollars.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Europe in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports in-shell hazelnuts from Western Europe

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Western Europe exported 4 507 tonnes of in-shell hazelnuts, a 9.2% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 45%, averaging an annual growth rate of 13.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 5.3%, while the highest increase was in 2018 at 40.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy, Spain, and Denmark were the top buyers of in-shell hazelnuts from Western Europe, accounting for 28.5%, 14.4%, and 2.1% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share was only 45.0% of total exports, indicating a diversified market structure.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Western Europe's in-shell hazelnut exports grew for the third consecutive year, reaching 19 105 thousand US dollars in 2020, a substantial 21.9% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value rose by 37.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the value-based export structure was highly diversified. Italy, Spain, and Denmark accounted for 24.4%, 13.9%, and 2.3% of exports in value terms, respectively, totaling only 40.6% of total flows. The remaining 59.4% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Imports in-shell hazelnuts to Western Europe

Imports in kind, t

Western Europe's in-shell hazelnut imports declined for the second consecutive year, totaling 1 493 tonnes in 2020, a sharp 10.4% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 43.5%, with a compound annual decline rate of 17.3%. The peak import volume was in 2018 at 2 717 tonnes, which saw a 2.9% increase, while the largest decline of 38.6% occurred in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the import structure in kind showed a diversified set of partners. Italy, the United States, and Spain accounted for 17.9%, 7.0%, and 6.5% of imports in kind, respectively, totaling only 31.4% of total flows. The remaining 68.6% was spread across numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decrease, Western Europe's in-shell hazelnut imports rebounded in 2020, reaching approximately 11 845 thousand US dollars, a significant 42.6% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 5.3%, with a compound annual decline rate of 1.8%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 8 307 thousand US dollars, marking a 25.7% decline.

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

From 2017 to 2020, no single market dominated in-shell hazelnut imports in value terms. Italy, the United States, and Spain accounted for 18.3%, 5.6%, and 4.6% of imports in value terms, respectively, totaling only 28.5% of total imports. The rest was shared among many smaller partners, each with modest individual shares.

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

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