Shelled hazelnuts market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2024, the U.S. shelled hazelnut market underwent a fundamental shift from import reliance to becoming a major global exporter. This transformation was triggered by a rapid 480% expansion of production capacity in North America in 2018, which ignited sustained domestic output growth. Over the following years, U.S. production more than tripled, reaching 21 669 t by 2023.

The surge in domestic supply drastically altered trade flows. As production climbed, imports fell from over 6 000 t to under 1 000 t, while exports grew more than tenfold to exceed 17 500 t by 2024. Initially, the growing production supported a rise in domestic market volume to over 13 500 t, but from 2021 onward, the internal market size contracted as an increasing share of output was directed abroad. By 2024, this trend culminated in a sharp reported drop in U.S. consumption.

In 2024, the market grappled with significant price volatility and changing dynamics. Import prices for hazelnuts, heavily sourced from Turkey, rose by 26%, increasing cost pressures. While imports into North America grew by 20%, regional production experienced a slight decline. Despite this, U.S. export volumes continued their strong upward trajectory, indicating the market's reorientation towards international trade amidst challenging domestic conditions.

Production shelled hazelnuts in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Globally, the United States ranked as the 7th largest producer of shelled hazelnuts from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of shelled hazelnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of shelled hazelnuts, 2017-2020

The United States saw its shelled hazelnuts production volume grow for the third year in a row. In 2020, production reached 11 409 tons, marking a 53.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 538%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 85.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The market showed significant volatility during these years. The value of shelled hazelnuts output varied widely, with a peak in 2020 and a low in 2017, resulting in an 8.1-fold difference. In 2020, the output was valued at 95 771 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp rise of 68.0% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 2.1%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 390.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports shelled hazelnuts from the United States

Exports in kind, t

The United States experienced a second consecutive year of growth in shelled hazelnuts export volume. In 2020, exports totaled 1 988 tons, representing a dramatic 49.6% increase over 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 53.5%, with an annualized rate of 15.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 122 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 13.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Canada and Germany were the primary export partners for shelled hazelnuts in volume terms, together accounting for 80.4% of total exports, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Shelled hazelnuts exports from the United States increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 16 690 thousand US dollars, up 64.2% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 94.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 24.7%.

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

During 2017–2020, Canada, Germany, and Australia led as the top buyers of shelled hazelnuts from the United States in value terms. Canada accounted for 65.5% of exports, Germany for 12.2%, and Australia for 4.9%, collectively representing 82.5% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports shelled hazelnuts to the United States

Imports in kind, t

The import volume of shelled hazelnuts into the United States showed an unstable trend over this period. The lowest volume was in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2018, with a 1.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports amounted to 4 161 tons, a decrease of 26.8% compared to 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 6 029 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 75.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the dominant supplier of shelled hazelnuts to the United States, capturing 96.4% of total imports in volume terms.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Shelled hazelnuts imports into the United States declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at 30 821 thousand US dollars, a substantial drop of 17.5% from the prior year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports increased by 20.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.4%. The highest value was in 2018 at 38 240 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 49.6%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, nearly all shelled hazelnuts imports to the United States in value terms came from Turkey, which held a 95.9% share of total imports.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020