Top Hazelnut Producing Countries

Hazelnut farming has deep historical roots, with evidence of its cultivation dating back thousands of years in the temperate regions of Eurasia. The wild hazel (Corylus avellana) was gathered by prehistoric peoples, but systematic cultivation began in the region around the Black Sea, especially in what is now modern-day Turkey. Today, Turkey is by far the world’s leading producer of hazelnuts, accounting for about 70% of global production, particularly in the provinces along the Black Sea coast. Italy is the second-largest producer, with hazelnuts being a key crop in regions like Piedmont, Lazio, and Campania, where they are essential for the confectionery industry. Other significant producers include the United States (notably Oregon’s Willamette Valley), Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Spain. The spread of hazelnut cultivation from its Eurasian origins to Western Europe and beyond was facilitated by trade routes and the growing demand for nuts in culinary traditions, especially with the rise of chocolate and praline industries in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Data from United Nations FAO Stat