Turkey is the largest exporter of hazelnuts, supplying about 80 percent of the world's hazelnut exports. Being the largest producer and exporter, Turkey naturally plays an important role in determining world hazelnut prices.



In Turkey, hazelnuts are cultivated in an area of around 350,000 ha. The production area is spread densely all along the Black Sea coast. Hazelnut orchards extend up to 30 Km (18 Miles) in land. The average annual hazelnut production during the past five years in Turkey has been approximately 497,000 tons in-shell. With its outstanding position, Turkey leads the field among hazelnut producing countries. Turkey realizes almost 70-75 percent of the world's hazelnut crop.



Turkish hazelnuts are classified as Giresun or Levant quality and they are divided into two groups as round and pointed according to their shape and aromatic properties.

Exports
Until recently, Turkish hazelnuts were exported only as natural kernels. During the past 20 to 25 years hazelnut processing plants have been built and since then various forms of processed hazelnuts have begun to be exported as well. As a result, the market share of processed kernels has been growing steadily and is now about 43 percent of total hazelnut exports. However, new investments have also been carried out by Turkish exporters, some of which are joint-ventures. Today shelled hazelnuts and processed kernels constitute 99 percent of total Turkish hazelnut exports.



Turkey, who exported mainly shelled and kernel forms to 32 countries before 1980, now exports hazelnuts and the various processed forms of hazelnuts to over 75 countries. The majority of exports, above 80% of total exports, are shipped to countries of the European Union. Germany is the leading importer of processed and unprocessed Turkish hazelnuts with a share of 27 percent of the total, followed by Italy, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Russian Federation, Austria, the Netherlands, Ukraine and U.K. Far East, Latin American and Scandinavian Countries have emerged as potential markets for Turkish hazelnut.