Georgia’s hazelnut harvest is expected to fall below 40,000 tons this year, according to Merab Chitanava, Chairman of the Executive Board of the Hazelnut Producers Association. He said heavy rains in August, difficulties in controlling pests and rising harvesting costs have significantly reduced both the quantity and quality of the crop, creating a difficult season for farmers and exporters.
Chitanava said harvest collection is nearing completion in Samegrelo and Guria, while around 30% remains to be harvested in Kakheti. The association had initially expected more than 45,000 tons, but now forecasts less than 40,000 tons. Kernel yield has also fallen below 30%, compared with 35–37% previously, meaning Georgia may export only 10,000–12,000 tons of hazelnut kernels, down from 16,000–17,000 tons last year.
According to Chitanava, the decline could also affect Georgia’s position in global markets. He said Georgia needs to export around 50,000–60,000 tons of in-shell hazelnuts to remain a significant and reliable supplier, facing competition from Turkey, Italy, the United States, Chile and Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, higher labor costs are putting additional pressure on farmers, with daily wages rising from around GEL 35 five years ago to GEL 100 today.
Hazelnut prices are difficult to forecast and will largely depend on Turkey’s government intervention and purchases by major international buyers such as Ferrero, Chitanava said. He noted that in-shell hazelnuts are currently trading locally at around GEL 0.65 per yield percentage, while processed kernels cost about GEL 20 per kilogram and export prices range from €7 to €7.30 per kilogram. He also warned that last year’s high global prices reduced consumer demand, making the balance between producer prices and market demand particularly important this season.
