Free of charge

Hazelnuts: big twist in production

May 14, 2026 at 2:41 PM , Der AUDITOR
Play report as audio

MACAO. According to the crop estimates released at this week’s International Nut and Dried Fruit Council Congress in Macao the USA will overtake Chile as second largest producer for hazelnuts. The Black Sea Hazelnut and Products Exporters’ Association has revised the crop estimate for Turkey.

USA to overtake Chile

After experiencing a difficult year, in which quality was an issue and market shares were lost to Chile due to excessively high prices, the table is set to turn again for Turkey’s industry. After the Black Sea Hazelnut and Products Exporters’ Association issued an initial crop estimate over 829,239 mt in February as based on the first flower count, the current figure of 809,940 mt presented at this year’s INC congress stands only 2% lower. Anticipation is that this year’s crop will recover by 56% after frost diminished last year’s production to 518,000 mt. Stink bug infestation and drought conditions will remain decisive for the crop in the coming months.

Yet, the biggest surprise at the INC Congress is that the USA will overtake Chile as second largest producer with a 12% rise. Chile’s production will remain flat. China, Italy and Spain are also anticipating double-digit rises in production. Expectation is that total production will range as much as 33% higher than in the current season. Total supply will also rise by 29%, from 1.24 million mt in 2025/2026 to 1.59 million mt in 2026/2027.

Hazelnut production, in-shell basis (mt)

Country

2025/26

2026/27

Diff.

Turkey

518,000

809,940

56.4%

USA

110,000

123,500

12.3%

Chile

120,700

120,000

-0.6%

China

88,000

100,000

13.6%

Italy

65,000

90,000

38.5%

Azerbaijan

60,000

65,000

8.3%

Georgia

45,000

45,000

0.0%

Iran

24,000

22,600

-5.8%

Spain

7,500

10,530

40.4%

France

9,000

9,500

5.6%

Others

33,100

36,000

8.8%

Total

1,080,300

1,432,070

32.6%

Black Sea Hazelnut and Products Exporters’ Associations, Hazelnut Committee of Chile, China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Foodstuffs, AEOFRUSE and other INC sources
May 2026

 

View more
price chart, hazelnut kernels, natural, Turkey
price charts for edible nuts, dried fruit, oilseeds and more

View related articles

Go to the News Overview
Nuts
May 14, 2026
IRVING. According to the Monthly Report for April issued by the American Pecan Council, year-to-date exports have declined by double digits. Europe has remained the most import destination for US pecans.
Nuts
May 14, 2026
SACRAMENTO. California's exports fell by 11% in April as the Position Report issued by the Almond Board of California shows. Industry stakeholders reckon that China may return as leading importer. The USDA NASS Subjective Estimate is roughly in line with industry expectations.
Nuts
May 13, 2026
CANBERRA. Rainfall has led to a slow start to the export season in the Australian almond market. Domestic deliveries, however, have increased slightly. Crop forecasts remain optimistic.