Shelled hazelnuts market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the shelled hazelnuts market in Western Asia contracted, with domestic volume falling from 201 thousand tonnes to 175 thousand tonnes. This decline coincided with the implementation of a licensed storage law that set a 24-month limit for in-shell hazelnut storage and mandated warehouse repairs, tightening quality control. In 2019, the state-owned TMO set annual purchase prices to support growers, which helped boost production, but a simultaneous surge in exports reduced the volume available locally. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 increased global logistics costs, raising domestic transportation expenses and adding further pressure on the supply chain.

The market began to recover after 2021, with volume growing to 169 thousand tonnes in 2022 and 186 thousand tonnes in 2023. TMO maintained its price support policy, including a premium for high-yield nuts to encourage quality production. A key shift came in 2022 when TMO moved its procurement process to a digital appointment system via e-Devlet, streamlining distribution, reducing informal purchases, and improving market transparency. This digitalization, combined with sustained price incentives, supported the expansion of domestic consumption.

Looking ahead, TMO announced new purchase prices for the 2024-25 season, continuing the premium for high yield and the 50% sound kernel standard. The licensed storage regulations were also reiterated, emphasizing the 24-month storage limit and maintenance requirements to preserve product quality. These ongoing measures aim to stabilize producer income and maintain reliable supply for the domestic market.

Production shelled hazelnuts in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of shelled hazelnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of shelled hazelnuts, 2017-2020

Western Asia's production of shelled hazelnuts declined after two years of growth. In 2019, output reached its peak at 409.9 thousand tons, but then fell by 12.1% year-over-year to 360.1 thousand tons in 2020. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 18.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.8%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 26.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, Western Asia's production of shelled hazelnuts in value terms declined. In 2019, the value peaked at 2 606 million US dollars, but then dropped by 3.8% to 2 506 million US dollars in 2020. From 2017 to 2020, the value increased by 25.9%, averaging an 8.0% annual growth rate. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019, at 19.0%.

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

Exports shelled hazelnuts from Western Asia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Western Asia's exports of shelled hazelnuts totaled 188.5 thousand tons, down 16.3% from 225.2 thousand tons in 2019, which was the highest level in the period. Over the years 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 2.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019, at 18.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Germany, and France were the main buyers of shelled hazelnuts from Western Asia in volume terms. Italy accounted for 31.9% of exports, Germany for 15.7%, and France for 7.1%. Together, these three countries represented 54.6% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Western Asia's exports of shelled hazelnuts in value terms amounted to 1 312 million US dollars, an 8.3% decrease from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 432 million US dollars, while the lowest was in 2018 at 1 085 million US dollars. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 3.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.2%. The largest annual decline was in 2018 at 14.2%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 31.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Germany, and France were the largest buyers of shelled hazelnuts from Western Asia in value terms. Italy made up 32.7% of exports, Germany 15.0%, and France 7.5%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 55.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports shelled hazelnuts to Western Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Western Asia's imports of shelled hazelnuts in volume terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports fell by 31.2% year-over-year to 3.7 thousand tons. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 55.5%, with an average annual decline of 23.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the import landscape for shelled hazelnuts in Western Asia was diverse in volume terms. Germany accounted for 10.3% of imports, Italy for 4.9%, and Switzerland for 2.8%. Together, these three countries represented only 18.1% of total imports, with the remaining 81.9% coming from many other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Western Asia's imports of shelled hazelnuts in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports dropped by 22.4% compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 70 million US dollars. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 39.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.5%. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 24.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 2.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, shelled hazelnuts were imported into Western Asia from a wide range of markets in value terms. Germany accounted for 10.9% of imports, Italy for 5.1%, and Switzerland for 3.3%. Together, these three countries made up only 19.4% of total import value, with the remaining 80.6% sourced from many smaller destinations.

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

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