Hazelnut is the fruit of the hazel tree and therefore includes any of the nuts deriving from species of the genus Corylu. They are grown in the temperate areas of south-eastern Australia, with approximately 2,500 hectares planted to hazelnuts, comprising about 1.3 million trees.
In 2020, the trees produced approximately 350 tonnes of in-shell hazelnuts. However, Australia imports approximately 3,500 tonnes of hazelnut product annually, primarily from Turkey, providing a clear opportunity to displace imported product. Due to greater awareness of the health benefits, demand for hazelnuts is increasing globally.
The development of the Australian Hazelnut 2030 Strategic Blueprint is the next step for this emerging industry to grow. This Strategic Blueprint highlights eight priorities for the industry to implement.