Another key insight shared at the 43rd INC World Nut and Dried Fruit Congress in Macau (May 2026) was the current scale of hazelnut plantings across the major producing regions:
It is no surprise that Turkey has by far the largest planted area. However, it is important to note that nearly all hectares in Turkey and most other origins are mature and fully productive. In contrast, only about 82% of U.S. planted hectares are currently in production, while Chile’s percentage is likely even lower as many orchards continue to mature.
The graph below illustrates tons produced per hectare. U.S. growers achieve nearly 2.5 times more hazelnuts per hectare than most other origins. American producers are currently forecasting another record crop, assuming no major weather challenges such as heat stress, drought, or excessively wet harvest conditions.
We have been actively collaborating with several companies on exciting new hazelnut products scheduled to launch later this year and early next year. Even with strong expected harvests in the USA and other origins, we believe this is the ideal time to drive increased demand.
The past year clearly demonstrated that hazelnuts grown in the Western Hemisphere are legitimate origins that produce exceptional quality. They are far more than a passing trend. With a more diverse global supply base, the industry is now better positioned to handle crop failures in any one region without causing demand destruction from extreme price spikes. Processors from all origins must move beyond simply taking orders and become proactive demand builders.
Although new-crop supply is still several months away, we have sample product available now for R&D teams. If you’re developing new hazelnut applications, reach out — we’d be happy to support your efforts.
