Hazelnut Market Crisis2025
How the Poor Harvest in Turkey and Georgia Affected the Market
In 2025, global hazelnut production faced significant challenges. Key suppliers — Turkey and Georgia — reported lower yields, impacting prices and the supply structure to Europe. This situation forced European importers and B2B distributors to adjust purchasing strategies and explore alternative sources of raw materials.
Turkey: Declining Yields and Rising Prices
Turkey, the world’s largest hazelnut producer, expected a harvest of around 609,000 tons for the 2025 season. This is approximately 20–22% less than in 2024, when 720,000 tons were collected. The main reasons were spring frosts, weather anomalies, and ongoing issues with pests and tree diseases.
The supply reduction quickly affected the market: purchase prices increased. In the Giresun region, hazelnuts were sold at 200 Turkish Lira per kilogram, significantly higher than in previous years, though still barely covering production costs. Additionally, fulfilling export contracts became challenging as some producers held back their stock in anticipation of better conditions.
Georgia: Exports Rise Despite Lower Yields
Georgia produces smaller volumes than Turkey but remains an important supplier of high-quality hazelnuts, especially for processing. In 2025, Georgian exports reached approximately 13,700 tons valued at $84.4 million, an 18% increase in volume and a 36% increase in value compared to the previous year. The average export price rose by 39% during August–September, and deliveries to Europe continued to increase in early 2026.
The yield decline in Georgia was caused by tree diseases and rising treatment costs. Nevertheless, the country increased exports to the EU, partially offsetting Turkey’s raw material deficit.
Impact on the European Market
The poor harvest in Turkey and Georgia led to several key consequences for the market:
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Limited supply. The shortage of raw materials made contract fulfillment more difficult, especially for large processors and distributors.
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Price increase. Rising prices of Turkish and Georgian hazelnuts affected European companies’ purchasing budgets.
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Diversification of supply. European importers and manufacturers increasingly sought alternative sources — Georgia, Italy, and the Caucasus region.
Some major chocolate and nut paste producers adjusted their purchasing strategies, reducing volumes or signing earlier contracts to minimize supply risks.
Comparison with Previous Years
Before 2025, Turkey’s production was relatively stable — 700–800 thousand tons annually. Georgia gradually increased exports, supplying high-quality raw material to Europe.
In 2025, the combination of reduced yields and rising prices created greater market tension. For B2B buyers, this meant earlier planning of purchases and diversification of suppliers.
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Medium-scale buyers (up to 8 tons) should secure volumes in advance and consider alternative sources.
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Large distributors and processors benefit from strategic planning and long-term contracts with multiple suppliers.
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Diversification of sources helps reduce risks associated with local weather anomalies and poor harvests.
The 2025 situation clearly demonstrated that the hazelnut market remains sensitive to seasonal fluctuations and climatic factors. European importers and manufacturers will need to consider these risks in their purchasing strategies and closely monitor changes in key production regions.
