Shota Kemoklidze, a hazelnut farmer from Georgia’s Kvareli municipality, expects the purchase price for premium-quality hazelnuts to decline to GEL 11–12 per kilogram this season, down from GEL 15–16 last year. Speaking to BM.GE, he said the expected price drop is mainly due to forecasts of a strong hazelnut harvest in Turkey.
According to Kemoklidze, last year’s higher prices were driven by a sharp decline in production in both Turkey and Italy. This year, however, Turkey is expected to harvest 750,000–800,000 tons, putting downward pressure on global prices. Despite the decline, he said the expected price remains favorable for producers.
The farmer also expects a strong harvest, estimating an average yield of around three tons of dried hazelnuts per hectare. He noted that heavy rainfall in Georgia’s Kakheti region has not caused significant damage so far, with weather conditions during the harvest period likely to have a greater impact.
Kemoklidze said nearly all premium-quality hazelnuts produced in Georgia are exported, with his own company supplying the Italian market. Hazelnuts from Kakheti are mainly shipped to Italy and Germany, where demand remains strong. He added that the company is satisfied with its current export partners and has no immediate plans to enter new markets.
