The information contained herein was prepared between mid-September and October 2024.
Türkiye. Harvest began on schedule, drying conditions were favorable and there were no significant delays. After a dryer-than-average summer and populous brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) presence, crop size and quality varied across regions. Yields were average overall but lower in areas with high BMSB incidence. Quality, in general, is lower than last season, but larger crops in some areas mitigated some of the season’s challenges. Some industry sources anticipate a lower crop; however, at the time of this report, the extent of the reduction was uncertain.
The Turkish Grain Board (TMO) launched the procurement campaign with in-shell hazelnuts priced at 130 TL/kg. As reported by the Black Sea Hazelnut Exporters Association, total exports in 2023/24 (July-August) reached 303,458 metric tons (kernel basis), up 1.64% from 2022/23. Outlook for this season’s shipments was, at the time of reporting, optimistic and expected to reach up to 310,000 MT.
Italy. The 2024/25 crop was revised down to approximately 95,000 MT. A dry, hot summer adversely affected pollination, particularly in the Piedmont region. Wet conditions during harvest impacted yield and quality. Consequently, the industry is facing higher production costs from extra sorting needed to address quality issues.
USA. By mid-September, harvest in Oregon was well underway with excellent weather conditions. In-shell nut sizing is better than the previous crop and above historical averages. Kernels appear to be well filled. Some elevated blank/unfilled counts have been reported, but in rather isolated observations. Other kernel defects remain very low and should provide for superior quality.
Chile. In Maule, a shortage of chilling hours followed by a chilly spring led to an overall reduced yield. However, the impact was partially mitigated by new orchards entering production. In the central and southern producing regions, harvest was slowed by rainfall. Nonetheless, these regions experienced more stable yields and quality remained high, thanks to efficient drying processes. Based on winter conditions, the outlook for the 2025 harvest is positive.
