3rd European Hazelnut Event, Santiago, Chile
We all know that hazelnuts are one of Turkey's most important agricultural products. Approximately 65% of the world's hazelnuts are produced in Turkey. Turkey earned $1,866,735,000 from hazelnuts in 2023. Despite this positive outlook, hazelnuts are not only a sought-after agricultural product in Turkey. Countries like the United States, Italy, and many others are developing policies related to hazelnut farming.
We were invited to attend the 3rd National European Hazelnut Event in Chile, which is about 14,000 km away from our home. Important points about hazelnut farming and its future were discussed here. Our visit, which was very beneficial, was worth the 32-hour journey with what we learned and saw.
Chile is a long and narrow country located on the western side of the Andes Mountains and on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in South America. Chile, which varies in climate, is one of the world's most important agricultural production states in products such as grapes, peaches, cherries, walnuts, and avocados. With the arrangement of a hazelnut orchard by a curious Chilean farmer, there are currently 600 producers in Chile producing 70-75 thousand tons of hazelnuts on 40,000 hectares.
When the industrial revolution achieved in agricultural products other than hazelnuts is combined with fertile land and state support, it is evident that Chile will become an important hazelnut producer in the coming years.
The Chilean government provides intense support for agricultural production. With irrigation organizations, solar energy grant programs (up to 70%), agricultural machinery support, and many other policies, the cost of hazelnut production ranges from $1 to $1.4, and the average selling price is around $3.77 per kilogram for a yield of 50. When compared in terms of yield, the hazelnut selling price, which is roughly equivalent to Turkey's price, enables a Chilean producer to make a profit of around $2-2.5 per kilogram of hazelnuts due to low labor costs, mechanized agriculture, and other supports. Chilean producers are generally satisfied with hazelnut farming and its returns. They express that they benefit from Turkey's high price policies and the announced hazelnut price in Turkey.
Based on the presentations and sessions we attended during the event, it is difficult to say the same for European and American producers regarding hazelnut prices that satisfy Chilean producers. Hazelnut farming in America has been negatively affected by mushroom pests. Twelve out of every 100 American hazelnut producers have withdrawn from hazelnut farming in recent years due to adverse conditions. European producers are not satisfied because they cannot sell their hazelnuts at the desired price due to Turkey's competitive hazelnut production and marketing processes.
We have seen that Turkish hazelnuts can maintain their international competitiveness and preserve their leading position in the sector for many years as long as agricultural production is supported by the government and incentives for farmers continue. To maintain our leadership in hazelnuts, we should focus on reducing production costs, developing mechanized farming policies, and increasing production per hectare.
