Corylus

Climate change and invasive species are threatening production in Türkiye's agriculture sector, posing risks especially to cash crops, such as olive, hazelnut and pistachio.

The latest numbers from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) showed that the country's citrus production increased, while there was a steep decline in olive, hazelnut, pistachio and cotton production.

Turkish growers shipped 284,141 tons of hazelnut to 121 countries, generating $1.87 billion in export revenues last year.

In terms of value, exports declined by 9 percent compared with 2022, while the increase in volume was 7 percent.

Europe was once again the largest export market for the Turkish hazelnut.

Producers in the Black Sea Region have officially commenced the harvest season for hazelnuts, which constitute one of the country's most significant export items.

According to the data by the Black Sea Hazelnut and Products Exporters' Association, during the 2022-2023 hazelnut export season, Türkiye earned over $1.7 billion by selling more than 283,000 tons of hazelnuts.

Türkiye's hazelnut production is expected to be around 717,931 tons this year, according to the Union of Turkish Agricultural Chambers (TZOB).

Türkiye is the world's largest producer of hazelnut.

"The survey conducted in 16 provinces showed that the hazelnut production will be slightly lower in 2023 from last year," said Arslan Soydan from the TZOB.

The producers aim to increase export revenues in hazelnut, which is an important source of income in the Black Sea region.

While the hazelnut harvest, which started earlier this month, continues in the coastal and central areas, exporters are making their final preparations for the new season.

Turkey earned $1.84 billion from hazelnut exports from September 2019 to April 2020, increasing 50.9 percent versus the same period in the previous season, a regional trade union announced on May 4.

Turkey, the world's biggest hazelnut supplier, yielded revenues of $1.65 billion from the nuts exports between September 2019 and this March, according to a regional trade group on April 2.

The Black Sea Hazelnut and Products Exporters' Association data showed that the seven months figure jumped 52 percent from the same period last year.

Turkey's hazelnut exports rose 43.1 percent to reach 168,604 tons from September to December 2019, a regional trade union announced on Jan. 6.

The Black Sea Hazelnut and Products Exporters' Union reported that Turkey earned $1.09 billion from hazelnut exports during the first four months of the season, which starts in September and ends in August.

Turkish hazelnut exports hit a record high level this September-October, the head of the Black Sea Hazelnut and Products Exporters' Association announced.

Turkey's hazelnut exports jumped 75% in the first month of the season -- September -- vice president of the Black Sea Hazelnut and Products Exporters' Union said.