EU hazelnut imports rise 15% in volume as value surges nearly 60%

European Union hazelnut imports increased by 15% in the first nine months of 2026, reaching a record 95 thsd tons compared with 82.7 thsd tons in the same period last year. Meanwhile, the value of purchases rose much faster, jumping 59.3% to a record €946 mln from €593.7 mln a year earlier. According to Mundus Agri, hazelnuts became the EU’s third-largest imported nut category by value, overtaking cashews and ranking behind only pistachios and almonds.

Chile and the US emerged as the main suppliers of hazelnuts to the European market, displacing traditional exporter Turkey. Chile accounted for 48% of the EU’s total hazelnut import value, followed by the US with 20%, while Turkey’s share fell to less than 20%. The shift in supply patterns reflects intensifying competition among producing countries and a redistribution of market shares in Europe.

Italy remains the largest hazelnut importer among EU countries, accounting for 54% of the bloc’s total import value. Germany ranks second with a 30% share, while Poland accounts for around 4%. As a result, more than 80% of the value of imported hazelnuts is concentrated in just two countries — Italy and Germany.

Rising expenditure on hazelnuts comes amid mixed trends across other segments of the EU nut market. In particular, the value of pistachio imports increased by just 0.8% to €1.27 bln, while almond imports rose by 5.5% to €1.26 bln. Spending on cashew imports remained virtually unchanged at €941 mln. Meanwhile, the value of walnut imports declined by 10%, while peanut imports fell by 21.3%.

Overall, EU nut imports reached a record €6.36 bln in the first three quarters of 2026, up 5.2% from €6.05 bln a year earlier. The US remains the EU’s largest nut supplier, accounting for 47% of total import value, followed by Vietnam, Chile and Argentina. Hazelnuts recorded one of the strongest increases in import value among major nut categories, with spending growth significantly outpacing the rise in physical import volumes.

Tags: nuts, hazelnut, EU