Shelled hazelnuts market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, European shelled hazelnut production faced phytosanitary challenges due to the ban on neonicotinoids in France, which hampered crop protection and affected yield quality and volume. This contributed to a drop in production from 75.2 тыс. т in 2018 to 57.7 тыс. т in 2019, before recovering to 76.1 тыс. т in 2020. Over the same period, the physical market size expanded from 206.8 тыс. т to 243.6 тыс. т, driven by rising imports which reached 211.9 тыс. т in 2020.

Between 2021 and 2023, production remained volatile under pressure from pest outbreaks, such as balanin and brown marmorated stink bug, and climate-related hazards, particularly in France. These factors pushed production down to 54.5 тыс. т in 2021, with a gradual recovery to 68.5 тыс. т by 2023. Simultaneously, soaring input, labor, and energy costs reduced the competitiveness of European hazelnuts against imports, notably from Turkey. The market value reflected these pressures, peaking at $1.9 billion in 2020 before declining and rebounding to $1.6 billion in 2023.

In 2024, the French harvest fell by 65% to only 6 500 tonnes due to severe pest damage, tightening supply. Global hazelnut prices rose because of shortages and frosts in Turkey, increasing import costs. Despite production challenges, demand for hazelnut-based products like spreads and snacks continued to grow, supported by investments in sustainable agriculture and research by major players such as Ferrero. The European market maintained its dominant global share, with consumers showing increasing interest in ethically sourced and sustainable products.

Production shelled hazelnuts in Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of shelled hazelnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of shelled hazelnuts, 2017-2020

In 2019, Europe's production of shelled hazelnuts reached its lowest point at 57 653 t, marking a significant decline of 23.3% that year. However, production rebounded strongly in 2020, reaching 76 051 t, which represents a 31.9% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 3.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two consecutive years of decline, shelled hazelnuts production in Europe saw a recovery. In 2019, the value hit a low of 470.9 M $ US, following an 11.8% drop in 2018. By 2020, production value surged to 664.6 M $ US, reflecting a sharp increase of 41.1% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, the total value rose by 20.3%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 6.4%.

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

Exports shelled hazelnuts from Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2019, Europe's exports of shelled hazelnuts in kind fell to a minimum of 41.6 K t, with the largest decline of 30.2% recorded that year. This followed a peak in 2018 at 59.7 K t, which saw an 11.3% increase. In 2020, exports recovered slightly to 44.3 K t, showing a modest advance of 6.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 17.3%, with an average annual decline of 6.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland and Turkey consistently held the largest share of Europe's shelled hazelnuts exports in kind, together accounting for 3.6% of total 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, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Europe's cross-border shipments of shelled hazelnuts in value terms began to rise. In 2019, exports reached their lowest point at 340 M $ US, with the largest decline of 12.1% occurring that year. By 2020, exports increased to 388 M $ US, indicating a gain of 13.9% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports overall decreased by 3.7%, equating to an annualized rate of decline of 1.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the country structure of Europe's shelled hazelnuts exports in value terms was primarily influenced by Switzerland and Turkey, which together accounted for 3.4% of total 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 shelled hazelnuts to Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Europe's imports of shelled hazelnuts in kind increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 211.9 K t, showing a limited improvement of 5.8% compared to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 11.3%, with an annualized growth rate of 3.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for Europe's shelled hazelnuts imports in kind were Turkey, which accounted for 61.5% of imports, Azerbaijan with 9.1%, and Chile at 5.0%. Together, these three countries represented 75.7% of total import flows.

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, M $ US

Europe's imports of shelled hazelnuts in value terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2018, imports hit a low of 1 362 M $ US, with the largest decline of 3.9% recorded that year. By 2020, imports rose to 1 626 M $ US, representing a significant advance of 13.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 14.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the principal destination for Europe's shelled hazelnuts imports in value terms, accounting for 59.9% of imports, followed by Azerbaijan at 7.8% and Chile at 6.2%. Collectively, these three countries made up 73.9% of total import flows.

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

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