10 World’s Largest Hazelnuts Producers- According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), there are 10 World’s Largest Hazelnuts producers in 2021. These countries basically have abundant production of Hazelnuts.
The hazelnut is the fruit of the hazel tree. Taxonomically, according to Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS), hazel tree can be classified into Kingdom: Plantae, Subkingdom: Viridiplantae, Infrakingdom: Streptophyta, Superphylum: Embryophyta, Phylum: Tracheophyta, Subphylum: Spermatophytina, Class: Magnoliopsida, Superorder : Rosanae, Order : Fagales, Family : Betulaceae, and Genus : Corylus L.
Hazelnuts can be used in some food ingredients in making the desserts, snack foods, and some cereals. Furthermore, this hazelnut has some nutritious contents that are good for the human body. In every 100 grams of Hazelnuts, according to Food Data Central, USDA, the nutritional content of hazelnuts is Protein 15 grams, Total lipid (fat) 60.8 grams, Carbohydrate 16.7 grams, Calcium 114 milligram, Magnesium 163 milligram, Phosphorus 290 milligram, Potassium 680 milligram, Manganese 6.18 milligram, Vitamin K (phylloquinone) 14.2 µg, and Choline 45.6 milligram.
The World’s Production and Harvested Areas of Hazelnuts From 1970 to 2021
| Years | World’s Production of Hazelnuts | World’s Harvested Areas of Hazelnuts |
|---|---|---|
| (Tons) | (Hectare) | |
| 1970 | 384,251 | 323,296 |
| 1971 | 305,519 | 330,502 |
| 1972 | 324,453 | 343,120 |
| 1973 | 388,709 | 352,811 |
| 1974 | 400,452 | 372,653 |
| 1975 | 472,856 | 377,689 |
| 1976 | 404,024 | 386,490 |
| 1977 | 447,087 | 392,174 |
| 1978 | 474,901 | 395,630 |
| 1979 | 466,214 | 415,597 |
| 1980 | 421,136 | 420,102 |
| 1981 | 545,636 | 416,694 |
| 1982 | 393,917 | 416,078 |
| 1983 | 595,143 | 416,329 |
| 1984 | 432,293 | 416,437 |
| 1985 | 376,354 | 440,033 |
| 1986 | 476,337 | 443,578 |
| 1987 | 474,454 | 451,095 |
| 1988 | 609,483 | 452,403 |
| 1989 | 748,489 | 447,220 |
| 1990 | 560,761 | 457,462 |
| 1991 | 521,108 | 438,075 |
| 1992 | 741,599 | 456,745 |
| 1993 | 498,182 | 480,993 |
| 1994 | 717,343 | 479,586 |
| 1995 | 678,241 | 489,599 |
| 1996 | 648,626 | 486,484 |
| 1997 | 631,923 | 495,749 |
| 1998 | 802,001 | 498,984 |
| 1999 | 780,684 | 502,618 |
| 2000 | 675,815 | 500,281 |
| 2001 | 878,316 | 501,800 |
| 2002 | 835,578 | 512,308 |
| 2003 | 688,117 | 530,782 |
| 2004 | 616,103 | 554,363 |
| 2005 | 758,939 | 556,738 |
| 2006 | 961,590 | 566,724 |
| 2007 | 811,684 | 615,214 |
| 2008 | 1,068,186 | 590,820 |
| 2009 | 772,965 | 607,632 |
| 2010 | 854,742 | 607,428 |
| 2011 | 744,976 | 624,554 |
| 2012 | 924,338 | 601,850 |
| 2013 | 869,505 | 633,449 |
| 2014 | 710,547 | 632,955 |
| 2015 | 936,110 | 662,169 |
| 2016 | 743,400 | 931,111 |
| 2017 | 1,001,627 | 939,811 |
| 2018 | 873,412 | 974,254 |
| 2019 | 1,121,543 | 1,002,149 |
| 2020 | 1,067,299 | 1,016,923 |
| 2021 | 1,077,117 | 1,039,147 |
| Source : FAOSTAT, 2023 | ||
In the world’s production, according to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), hazelnuts have good positive trends. It can be seen in the historical production record of hazelnuts. In the year of 1970, the world’s production of hazelnuts was just 384,251 tons with harvested areas around 323,296 hectares. After more than 50 years, the production of hazelnuts has increased into 1,077,117 tons with harvested areas around 1,039,147 hectares.
The Production of Hazelnuts Based on Continent in 2021
| Continent | Production of Hazelnuts in 2021 |
|---|---|
| (Tons) | |
| Africa | 206 |
| Americas | 105,601 |
| Asia | 845,338 |
| Europe | 125,972 |
In the continent regions, the production of Hazelnuts is still located in some regions. Asia still becomes the main area of production with total output of hazelnuts reaching 845 thousand tones. Meanwhile, Europe is second with production around 125 thousand tons, and Americas with production around 105 thousand tons.
Specifically, in the country areas, there are 10 World’s Largest Hazelnuts Producers in 2021. All of the data were obtained from FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT) in 2023. Here is the rank of 10 World’s Largest Hazelnuts Producers.
The Rank of 10 World’s Largest Hazelnuts Producers in 2021
| Rank | Country’s Producers of Hazelnuts | Production of Hazelnuts in 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| (Tons) | ||
| 1 | Türkiye | 684,000 |
| 2 | Italy | 84,670 |
| 3 | United States of America | 70,310 |
| 4 | Azerbaijan | 67,630 |
| 5 | Georgia | 46,000 |
| 6 | Chile | 35,291 |
| 7 | China, mainland | 24,423 |
| 8 | Iran (Islamic Republic of) | 13,613 |
| 9 | France | 12,340 |
| 10 | Spain | 7,780 |
| Source : FAOSTAT, 2023 | ||
Brief Description of 10 World’s Largest Hazelnuts Producers
1.Türkiye
Türkiye is the biggest producer of Hazelnuts in 2021. Overall, according to the FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT) in 2021, the production of Hazelnuts from Türkiye reached 684,000 tons. Geographically, in Türkiye, the production of hazelnuts is concentrated in some provinces. Statistically, Ordu still become the largest producer (31.1%) followed by Giresun (16.3%), Samsun (14.1%), Sakarya (12.8%), Düzce (10.7%), Trabzon (6.1%) and other provinces (Erdogan, 2018). Genetically, there are some popular hazelnuts cultivars in this country. Some of the hazelnut’s cultivars are Tombul, Palaz, Foşa and Çakıldak.
2.Italy
Italy is the second largest producer of Hazelnuts in 2021. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT) in 2021, the production of Hazelnuts from Italy reached 84,670 tons. Geographically, in Italy, the cultivation of hazel is mainly found in three regions , namely Campania (South Italy), Lazio (Central Italy), and Piemonte (North Italy). Specifically, 40% of Italian hazelnuts come from Campania. Furthermore, in Italy, there are some cultivated hazelnuts varieties. These are Mortarella, San Giovanni,Tonda Giffoni, Tonda Bianca, Tonda Rossa, Campanica, and Riccia di Talanico , Tonda Gentile Romana, and Nocchione (Allegrini et al., 2022).
3.United States of America
The United States of America (USA) is the next biggest producer of Hazelnuts in the year of 2021. Statistically, the production of USA’s Hazelnuts reached 70,310 tons. Geographically, in the USA, Oregon still becomes the main area of hazelnuts with 99 percent of the hazelnuts in the United States. Genetically, there are some varieties of hazel trees in the USA. Some of the popular hazel trees are Barcelona, Ennis, Jefferson, Dorris, Yamhill, Lewis, McDonald, and Wepster.
4.Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan is the 4th biggest producer of Hazelnuts in 2021. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Azerbaijan’s hazelnuts reached 67,630 tons. Geographically, in Azerbaijan, the main areas of hazelnut can be found in Balakan, Zagatala, Gakh, Gabala, Oghuz and Shaki, Khachmaz, and Shabran. Genetically, in Azerbaijan, there are some cultivars of hazelnuts, namely Atababa, Ashrafli, Ghalib, Ganja, Khachmaz, Sachagly, Topgara and Yagly.
5.Georgia
Georgia is the 5th largest producer of Hazelnuts in 2021. Statistically, according to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Georgia’s Hazelnuts reached 46,000 tons. Geographically, in Georgia, the hazelnuts can be found mainly in Abkhazia, Samegrelo, Guria, Imereti, and Ajara. Genetically, there are some cultivars of hazelnuts in Georgia. Some hazelnut cultivars in Georgia are Gulshishvela, Anakliuri, Shveliskura, Khachapura, Dedoplis Titi and Saivanobo (Mirotadze et al., 2008).
6.Chile
Chile is the 6th largest producer of Hazelnuts in 2021. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Hazelnuts from Chile reached 35,291 tons. Geographically, in Chile, Hazelnuts can be found in several regions. Specifically, Maule (Talca, Curico,Linares) and Bío-Bío are the main growing areas with, 7000 ha, and contain 53.84% of Chile’s total hazelnuts growing areas (Ellena et al., 2012). Other important hazelnut cultivation areas are Araucanía, Los Rios and Los Lagos regions in southern Chile. Genetically, some of the hazelnut’s cultivars which are planted are Chilean Barcelona and Tonda di Giffoni.
7.China, mainland
China also has huge production of Hazelnuts in 2021. Statistically, according to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of China’s Hazelnuts reached 24,423 tons. Recently, China strive to develop Ping’ou hybrids (C. heterophylla × C. avellana hybrids ) which has high-yield nuts and cold-resistant (Wang et al., 2017)
8.Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Iran is the 8th biggest producer of Hazelnuts in 2021. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Hazelnuts from Iran reached 13,613 tons. Geographically, in Iran, The main area of Hazelnut is located in Gilan Province. Commonly, Gilan province has more than 17,000 hectares of hazelnut orchards and it can produce about 20,000 tons of hazelnuts annually. Based on its contribution, Gilan province produces 85% of Iran’s hazelnuts.
9.France
France is the next European country that has huge production of Hazelnuts. In 2021, the production of Hazelnuts from France reached 12,340 tons. Geographically, in France, hazelnut production areas can be found in Aquitaine and Midi-Pyrénées regions. Genetically, the varieties of hazelnuts which can be found in France are Fertile de Coutard, Castanyera, Ennis, Corabel, Pauetet (Sarraquigne, 2004).
10.Spain
Spain is the 10th world’s biggest producer of Hazelnuts in 2021. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Hazelnuts from Spain reached 7,780 tons. Geographically, the main areas of Hazelnut production are located in Catalonia, and especially in Tarragona (Tous, 2004). Agronomically, the province of Tarragona is the main growing area (20,000 ha) which contributes 88% of Spain’s total hazelnut areas. Furthermore, there are some popular cultivars of Hazelnuts in Spain. Genetically, some of the Spanish hazelnut’s cultivars are Negret, Gironell, Pauetet, Culplà, Morell, Grifoll, Trenet and Ribe.
Bibliography of 10 World’s Largest Hazelnuts Producers
Food Data Central, USDA. 2023. Nuts, hazelnuts or filberts. Accessed via https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170581/nutrients on October 7th, 2023.
FAOSTAT. 2023. Production of Hazelnuts, in shell: top 10 producers. Accessed via https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL/visualize on October 7th, 2023.
Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). 2023. Corylus L. Accessed via https://www.gbif.org/species/102278686 on October 7th, 2023.
Erdogan, V. (2018). Hazelnut production in Turkey: current situation, problems and future prospects. Acta Hortic. 1226, 13-24. DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2018.1226.2.
Allegrini, A & Salvaneschi, P & Schirone, B & Cianfaglione, K & Di Michele, A. (2022). Multipurpose plant species and circular economy: Corylus avellana L. as a study case. 27. 1. 10.31083/j.fbl2701011.
Mirotadze, N., Gogitidze, V., Mikadze, N., Goginava, L. and Mirotadze, M., 2008, June. Agro-ecological zones of hazelnut in Georgia. In VII International Congress on Hazelnut 845 (pp. 291-294).
Ellena, M., Sandoval, P., Gonzalez, A., Jequier, J., Contreras, M. and Grau Beretta, P., 2012, March. Chilean hazelnut situation and perspectives. In VIII International Congress on Hazelnut 1052 (pp. 329-342).
Wang, G.X., Ma, Q.H., Zhao, T.T. and Liang, L.S., 2017, August. Resources and production of hazelnut in China. In IX International Congress on Hazelnut 1226 (pp. 59-64).
Xie, M., Zheng, J.L. and Wang, D.M., 2012, March. Achievements and perspective in hazelnut breeding in China. In VIII International Congress on Hazelnut 1052 (pp. 41-43).
Sarraquigne, J.P., 2004, June. Hazelnut production in France. In VI International Congress on Hazelnut 686 (pp. 669-672).
Tous, J., 2004, June. Hazelnut production in Spain. In VI International Congress on Hazelnut 686 (pp. 659-664).