Hazelnuts Production by Country 2025
Hazelnuts represent one of the world's most valuable tree nuts, with Turkey dominating global production at 650,000 tonnes in 2023, projected to reach 700,000 tonnes by 2025. Italy follows with 102,740 tonnes, while United States produces 85,460 tonnes. This nutrient-rich nut grows on deciduous shrubs or small trees, requiring specific climate conditions including mild winters and cool, moist summers. Production concentrates heavily in Black Sea region, particularly Turkey's northern coast, where ideal conditions and centuries of cultivation expertise create the world's hazelnut heartland supplying approximately 70% of global output.
Turkey leads global hazelnut production with 650,000 tonnes in 2023, though showing volatility from 515,000 to 776,046 tonnes over recent years. Production concentrates in Black Sea coastal provinces including Ordu, Giresun, Trabzon, and Samsun, where humid subtropical climate provides ideal growing conditions. Turkish hazelnuts, particularly Tombul variety, are prized for superior flavor, round shape, and thin shell. The industry supports over 2 million people in rural communities, making hazelnuts crucial for regional economy. Turkey supplies major confectionery companies worldwide, with Ferrero being largest buyer. Government support programs, cooperative systems, and export infrastructure maintain Turkey's market dominance despite climate challenges and labor shortages. Italy maintains 102,740 tonnes in 2023, showing significant volatility from 84,670 to 140,560 tonnes, reflecting alternate bearing patterns and weather impacts. Production concentrates in Piedmont, Lazio, Campania, and Sicily regions. Italian hazelnuts, especially Tonda Gentile variety, command premium prices for exceptional quality. Azerbaijan demonstrates impressive growth to 75,409 tonnes from 52,067 in 2018, becoming third-largest producer. Georgia reaches 36,900 tonnes with expansion driven by favorable climate and export opportunities. France produces 17,160 tonnes, while Spain maintains 6,790 tonnes. Poland shows growth to 10,700 tonnes, and Serbia reaches 10,190 tonnes. United States produces 85,460 tonnes in 2023, up from 46,270 in 2018, with production concentrated almost entirely in Oregon's Willamette Valley. American hazelnuts serve domestic market and premium export segments. Chile demonstrates dramatic growth to 65,647 tonnes from 20,330 in 2018, representing successful agricultural diversification. China maintains 24,750 tonnes focused on domestic consumption. Emerging producers include Ukraine (790 tonnes), Greece (6,950 tonnes), and various Eastern European countries experimenting with hazelnut cultivation as climate change expands suitable growing regions northward. Hazelnut shrubs thrive in temperate climates with 600-1,200mm annual rainfall and mild winters. Plants require 800-1,200 chilling hours below 7ยฐC for proper flowering. Production begins 3-4 years after planting, reaching full yield at 7-10 years, and continues for 40-50 years. Alternate bearing causes production fluctuations between heavy and light crop years. Wind-pollinated flowers require compatible pollinizer varieties. Harvest occurs late summer when nuts naturally fall from husks. Modern orchards use mechanical harvesters, while traditional producers hand-harvest. Post-harvest drying to 6-8% moisture prevents mold and ensures quality. Hazelnuts command premium prices, typically $4-7/kg depending on quality, variety, and market conditions. Major buyers include confectionery giants (Ferrero, Nestlรฉ), chocolate manufacturers, and bakery industries. Growing demand for nut-based spreads, particularly hazelnut-chocolate products, drives market expansion. Health benefits including heart-healthy fats, vitamin E, and antioxidants support consumption growth. Organic and sustainably-produced hazelnuts command price premiums. Turkey's market dominance creates price volatility when weather affects production. Diversification to other origins provides supply security for major buyers. Hazelnut production faces significant labor challenges, particularly in Turkey where harvest requires intensive manual work. Seasonal labor shortages drive mechanization investments. Child labor concerns in Turkish hazelnut sector prompted major buyers to implement strict monitoring and certification programs. Climate change brings irregular rainfall, spring frosts damaging flowers, and increased pest pressure. Water management becomes critical as traditional rain-fed production faces drought stress. Soil erosion on steep Black Sea slopes requires terracing and conservation practices. Biodiversity loss from monoculture expansion raises environmental concerns. Global hazelnut production projected to grow moderately through 2025, with Turkey maintaining dominance despite challenges. Italian production constrained by aging orchards and limited expansion areas. US and Chilean production growth provides supply diversification. Climate change may shift suitable growing regions, potentially benefiting Eastern European and other emerging producers. Mechanization advances address labor shortages while raising productivity. Processing innovations create value-added products beyond whole nuts. Sustainability certifications and traceability systems gain importance for major buyers. Growing health consciousness and premium confectionery demand support market expansion. The industry's future depends on balancing production growth with labor availability, climate adaptation, and sustainable farming practices while meeting increasing global demand for this premium tree nut.๐ Turkey's Overwhelming Dominance
Hazelnuts Production by Country 2025
1
700,000
2
95,360
3
75,420
4
71,508
5
54,620
6
38,767
7
24,755
8
14,787
9
13,762
10
9,600
11
8,586
12
7,537
13
5,163
14
4,281
15
3,744
16
2,503
17
1,343
18
1,234
19
998
20
750
21
396
22
352
23
350
24
338
25
317
26
253
27
240
28
161
29
133
30
46
31
20
32
14
๐ช๐บ European Production
๐ Americas and Emerging Producers
๐ณ Agricultural Characteristics
๐ฐ Economic and Market Dynamics
๐ Sustainability and Labor Challenges
๐ฎ Market Outlook
Hazelnuts Production by Country 2025
#
1
515,000
776,046
665,000
684,000
765,000
650,000
700,000
2
132,700
98,530
140,560
84,670
98,670
102,740
95,360
3
46,270
40,820
56,060
70,490
70,310
85,460
75,420
4
52,067
53,793
49,465
67,630
72,105
75,409
71,508
5
20,330
40,000
37,000
36,773
62,412
65,647
54,620
6
17,000
24,000
32,700
46,000
33,400
36,900
38,767
7
25,170
24,532
24,740
24,814
24,696
24,750
24,755
8
15,660
11,660
12,660
12,340
9,960
17,160
14,787
9
13,938
13,828
13,519
13,922
13,762
13,602
13,762
10
6,640
5,440
7,700
7,600
9,500
10,700
9,600
11
5,428
4,949
6,689
6,242
9,328
10,190
8,586
12
8,030
12,370
5,450
7,780
8,040
6,790
7,537
13
810
1,100
1,190
1,760
1,780
6,950
5,163
14
4,255
4,318
4,264
4,279
4,287
4,277
4,281
15
3,859
3,681
3,742
3,761
3,728
3,743
3,744
16
1,740
1,960
3,040
1,880
2,580
2,450
2,503
17
1,010
230
1,580
660
910
2,160
1,343
18
1,276
1,279
1,250
1,216
1,248
1,238
1,234
19
983
982
989
999
998
997
998
20
390
430
850
690
760
800
750
21
342
397
393
408
337
445
396
22
343
356
352
350
353
352
352
23
20
50
40
50
210
790
350
24
336
337
337
336
338
339
338
25
140
170
190
210
270
390
317
26
220
250
520
70
240
250
253
27
240
220
210
240
230
250
240
28
160
162
160
161
161
161
161
29
0
0
0
60
40
200
133
30
45
45
46
46
46
47
46
31
20
20
30
20
20
20
20
32
0
0
6
14
13
14
14
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country produces the most hazelnuts in the world?
Turkey is the world's largest hazelnut producer with 650,000 tonnes in 2023, projected to reach 700,000 tonnes by 2025, accounting for approximately 70% of global production. Italy ranks second with 102,740 tonnes, followed by United States at 85,460 tonnes. Turkey's production concentrates in Black Sea coastal provinces (Ordu, Giresun, Trabzon, Samsun) where humid subtropical climate provides ideal conditions for the prized Tombul variety, supporting over 2 million people in rural communities and supplying major confectionery companies worldwide.
How are 2025 hazelnut production forecasts calculated?
The 2025 forecasts use Weighted Moving Average (WMA) methodology, assigning 50% weight to 2023 data, 30% to 2022, and 20% to 2021. This is combined with compound annual growth rate (CAGR) analysis to project two-year trends. Countries showing high volatility (over 100% variance) like Turkey and Italy receive conservative estimates based on 3-year median values to account for alternate bearing patterns where hazelnut trees naturally produce heavy crops one year followed by lighter crops the next year, plus weather impacts on flowering and nut development.
Data Disclaimer: Projected data (future years) are estimates based on mathematical models. Actual values may differ. Learn about our methodology โ
Sources
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Updated: 05.11.2025https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
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