Shelled hazelnuts market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

The market for shelled hazelnuts in Eastern Europe reached 31 695 t in 2018, supported by growing consumer interest in healthy eating, though the segment remained highly dependent on imports. From 2019 to 2020, the market volume contracted, falling to 23 232 t. This decline was primarily driven by external economic factors that reduced nut imports, coupled with rising prices which tempered demand in the mass segment. The period was also marked by market instability, with many companies entering and then quickly exiting the business.

A recovery began in 2021, with market volume growing to 23 923 t as demand proved resilient despite ongoing logistical challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The trend towards healthy and plant-based diets continued to underpin consumption. In 2022, while sanctions and foreign trade restrictions further constrained imports, consumer demand remained steady, allowing the market to expand to 24 571 t. By 2023, the market grew significantly to 26 660 t, fueled by a reported 22% increase in nut sales and the expansion of online trade and e-commerce channels.

In 2024, the market continued to adapt to global factors including geopolitical tensions and climate change, which affected logistics and costs. Imports of shelled hazelnuts decreased to 24 023 t, while exports rose to 1 442 t. Regional trade dynamics were influenced by the tightening of export controls and the introduction of minimum price measures in neighboring markets.

Production shelled hazelnuts in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of shelled hazelnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of shelled hazelnuts, 2017-2020

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has seen its shelled hazelnuts production grow for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 590.8 tonnes of shelled hazelnuts, marking a significant 52.8% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 94.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 24.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has experienced a third consecutive year of growth in the value of its shelled hazelnuts production. In 2020, the output was valued at 4 208 thousand US dollars, representing a 53.3% rise over the past year. From 2017 to 2020, the production value increased by 89.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 23.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports shelled hazelnuts from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) saw an increase in its shelled hazelnuts exports. In 2020, the region exported 3 540 tonnes, up 57.0% from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 50.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.7%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 255 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 2.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure for shelled hazelnuts in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was fairly balanced rather than concentrated. Germany accounted for 21.5% of exports in kind, Italy for 4.9%, and Turkey for 3.2%, together making up 29.6% of total flows. The remaining 70.4% was distributed among many other countries.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has recorded a second consecutive year of growth in the value of its shelled hazelnuts exports. In 2020, exports reached 25.2 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp 57.6% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value rose by 46.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.6%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 15.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 11.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, Germany, Italy, and Turkey were key buyers of shelled hazelnuts from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value terms. Germany represented 22.6% of exports, Italy 4.2%, and Turkey 3.1%, combining for 29.8% of total export value. The remaining 70.2% was spread across numerous other partners.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports shelled hazelnuts to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, t

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) experienced a second straight year of decline in its shelled hazelnuts import volumes. In 2020, imports totaled 26 181 tonnes, a slight 0.7% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 31.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.5%. The peak import volume was in 2018 at 33 630 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 21.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 68.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Georgia were the primary partners for shelled hazelnuts imports in kind to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia). Azerbaijan accounted for 36.3% of imports, Turkey for 28.8%, and Georgia for 12.5%, together comprising 77.6% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) imported shelled hazelnuts worth 177.5 million US dollars in 2020, an 8.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 40.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 204.2 million US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019 at 19.6%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 61.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Italy were the main sources for shelled hazelnuts imports in value terms to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia). Azerbaijan represented 32.5% of imports, Turkey 30.7%, and Italy 15.1%, jointly accounting for 78.4% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020