Hazelnut, which has an important place in the economy of Turkey, contributes to the economy with export income.
In the export season of 2014/15, hazelnut exports were 217,000 tons (435,000 tons with shells). In this season, 2.799 billion USD foreign exchange input was obtained. Although hazelnut exports were below the 2012/13 season in terms of quantity, the highest hazelnut income in the history of the Turkish Republic was evaluated as the season obtained. In comparison, in 2016/17 season, 236,000 tons of hazelnut exports and 1.882 billion USD foreign exchange inflow was achieved.
Considering the course of hazelnut exports by countries; it is observed that most of the exports are concentrated in certain countries and depend on certain markets. These countries, most of which are members of the European Union and located in Western Europe, are also the largest chocolate producing countries and markets in the world.
At the beginning of 2014/15 season, hazelnut exported from average 1042.-USD/kental levels increasing to 1303.- USD/kental levels due to low yield. With the increase in yield in 2015/16 season, prices decreased to 943.-USD/kental levels in January 2016. In 2016/17 season, the price was realized as 742.-USD/kental. The downward trend in export prices continued in 2017/2018 with high yields. In February 2018, export prices were realized as 621.-USD/kental.
From 1 September 2018 to 30 April 2019, the standard natural hazelnut per kental (100 kilograms) was traded on average for 589.8- USD, generating 1,224 million USD in revenue. In the same period last season, 215,000 tons of hazelnut exports that generated 1,359 million USD in income.
In the eight months of the 2018-2019 season, 83, 843 tons of processed hazelnuts accounted for 39.7 per cent of 210,000 tons of hazelnut exports. It is known that the exports realized as 160,439 tons to EU (76 per cent of total exports). There was a remarkable increase in exports in China, USA, Japan and India. It is known that hazelnut exports to the People's Republic of China have gained significant momentum and this country is among the top ten exporting countries for Turkish hazelnut sector.