With global demand for hazelnuts rising, Australia has a clear opportunity to grow Australian hazelnuts and displace imported hazelnut product in the domestic market. More than 3,500 tonnes of hazelnut products are imported each year, creating a strong import-replacement opportunity for fresher, local supply.
The Australian Hazelnut Program of Research (AUSHAZ) is a $2 million investment delivered over five years (2024–2029) to support the sustainable growth of Australia’s emerging hazelnut industry. The program is designed to help address key industry challenges by:
The Australian Hazelnut Program of Research was developed in collaboration with government and research partners—including the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), the University of Melbourne, the University of New England, Charles Sturt University, the University of New South Wales, Central Queensland University, Lincoln Agritech, ERM Australia, STR Consulting and Fourjay Farms—alongside industry representatives through Hazelnut Growers of Australia Inc (HGAI).
This collaboration matters because the program is intended to address the technical and knowledge gaps that have previously constrained industry growth, while ensuring research outputs are relevant to growers and are extended to the industry through established communication pathways.
AgriFutures can assist with enquiries regarding the hazelnut industry’s research, current projects, publications, RD&E priorities and investment priorities. If you’re interested in participating in, partnering on, or contributing to hazelnut-related research and events, please contact us at .
For enquiries regarding farming/growing advice, import or export, processing or other industry-related enquiries, please contact the industry association, Hazelnut Growers of Australia.
The Australian hazelnut industry is a growing emerging industry with approximately 2,500 hectares planted, comprising around 1.3 million trees. In 2020, Australian orchards produced approximately 350–400 tonnes of in-shell hazelnuts, with a farm gate value of $3.7 million. The industry is set for rapid expansion as young orchards come into commercial bearing, with projections estimating production could reach 5,500 tonnes in-shell by 2023, valued at $40 million.
Hazelnuts are grown in the temperate areas of south-eastern Australia. The main production regions are around Orange in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales and Myrtleford in north-east Victoria. They are also grown in central and eastern Victoria, northern Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia. More recently, plantings in warmer regions such as Mudgee and Narrandera in the Riverina region of NSW are also proving successful, suggesting that suitable growing areas may be broader than previously thought.
Hazelnut trees take approximately seven to ten years to come into commercial production, making long-term planning and investment essential for new growers. Mother plants are used to propagate new trees, which are planted bare-rooted. Commercially, trees are grown either as a multi-stemmed tree or with a central trunk, the latter having been shown to be the most productive form of canopy management.
Australia holds several competitive advantages in hazelnut production. It is free from eastern filbert blight (EFB), a serious disease that has devastated hazelnut industries in the USA, meaning hazelnuts are produced here with little use of herbicides and pesticides. Australia’s counter-seasonal climate also creates export opportunities to supply fresh product to northern hemisphere markets in their off-season. Additionally, climate change modelling suggests Australian hazelnut yields could increase by 18–52% in coming decades.
The Australian Hazelnut 2030 Strategic Blueprint, developed with support from AgriFutures Australia, outlines eight priorities to guide the industry’s growth to 2030:
The Blueprint aims to achieve a $10 million industry with production at 4,000 tonnes, enough to meet import replacement targets, by 2030.
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