Georgian Hazelnuts Gain Ground as Turkish New-Crop Pressures Prices

Georgian-origin hazelnuts are quietly strengthening their position in Europe just as Turkish new-crop pressure is nudging kernel prices slightly lower, creating a more competitive and diversified sourcing environment for buyers. With Georgia demonstrating it can ship virtually its entire crop under supportive conditions and quality control improving, European buyers are reassessing origin risk. At the same time, early-September export offers out of Turkey are easing in EUR terms as the 2026 harvest flows into the market. This combination is improving buyer bargaining power, especially for conventional kernels, while quality, food-safety compliance and processing reliability remain decisive factors for long-term contracts.

Prices

Recent offers show a mild downward correction in Turkish FOB kernel prices as new-crop volumes arrive. Conventional Turkish hazelnut kernels 13–15 mm are indicated around EUR 7.45/kg FOB Istanbul, down from roughly EUR 7.84/kg in late August. Smaller 11–13 mm kernels are trading near EUR 6.91/kg, also easing from above EUR 7.30/kg over the past three weeks, while roasted and industrial products have adjusted lower in parallel.

Georgian kernels traded ex-warehouse Poland at a visible premium in early September, with 11–13 mm natural kernels around EUR 8.40/kg FCA Warsaw and large 13–15 mm lots around EUR 10.00/kg. Price softening from mid-August peaks suggests that even premium Georgian material must remain competitive as Turkish supply sets the global reference. Organic Turkish kernels continue to command high premiums above EUR 18–19/kg for natural and more than EUR 22/kg for roasted forms, reflecting limited certified supply and stable demand.

Supply & Demand

Turkey remains the anchor of global supply, typically accounting for around two-thirds of world hazelnut production and roughly 70% of EU imports. The 2026 Turkish crop is now moving from orchards into the pipeline, with harvest windows for high-altitude areas in Ordu, Giresun, Trabzon, Samsun and Tokat closed by late August, signaling accelerating new-crop arrivals into September.           

Georgia, while small compared with Turkey, has proven it can export virtually its entire crop in seasons where quality and market conditions align. Exports currently reach more than 30 countries, with the EU providing the backbone of demand and additional flows to South America, Scandinavia and Asia. This widening footprint reduces over-reliance on any single destination and gives global buyers a viable alternative origin when Turkish prices or availability become less attractive.

On the demand side, confectionery and chocolate manufacturers in Europe remain structurally dependent on hazelnuts, but short-term buying has been cautious. After strong prices in previous campaigns, some buyers are stretching coverage and using the new-crop dip to selectively extend positions. The premium for certified organic reflects a tighter balance and the difficulty of rapidly scaling organic acreage in core producing regions.

Fundamentals & Georgia’s Competitive Position

Georgia’s recent season underlined that export potential is constrained less by volume and more by consistent quality and compliance. Earlier years of quality problems led to weakened perceptions and increased border controls in parts of Europe. Since then, improved quality management, technical regulations and better processing standards have started to rebuild buyer confidence, with industry participants stressing a clear improvement in acceptance across European markets.

As perceptions recover, Georgian hazelnuts are becoming a more credible competitor to Turkish supply, particularly for European buyers seeking to diversify origin risk. Competitive pricing, proximity to EU markets and duty-free access under the Association Agreement enhance Georgia’s appeal, but buyers remain highly sensitive to food-safety records and aflatoxin control. Processors capable of demonstrating robust traceability and certified processing are best placed to secure long-term contracts and potentially narrow the price gap with established Turkish suppliers.

Market diversification is strategically important for Georgian exporters. Heavy dependence on a narrow set of destinations makes earnings vulnerable to demand swings, currency moves or regulatory shocks. By expanding into additional EU members as well as South American and Asian markets, Georgian processors can stabilise throughput and improve capacity utilisation, supporting more disciplined pricing and investment in modern processing lines.

Weather & New-Crop Conditions

In Turkey’s Black Sea belt, the 2026 harvest has generally benefited from favourable conditions for picking and drying, supporting good physical flow into the market. Some rain episodes around late August and early September introduced localised harvest delays but did not fundamentally change the supply outlook. With the state grain board offering historically high support prices in local currency, ample new-crop availability is now weighing on free-market EUR-denominated offers.

In western Georgia, where hazelnut orchards are concentrated, early-September forecasts point to seasonally mild temperatures and intermittent showers rather than severe weather disruptions. These conditions are broadly supportive for post-harvest handling and drying but underline the continued need for strict moisture and storage management to avoid quality losses. For both origins, the main short-term focus is less on weather risk and more on post-harvest handling, aflatoxin control and the speed at which farmers liquidate stocks.

Outlook & Trading Recommendations

Over the coming weeks, the global hazelnut market is likely to remain buyer-friendly on conventional kernels as Turkish new-crop volumes continue to arrive and the state support program struggles to absorb the full crop quickly. At the same time, the gradual restoration of Georgian reputation means that high-quality lots from Georgia can command, and likely retain, a premium, particularly for EU buyers prioritising diversified sourcing and strong food-safety credentials.

Medium term, Georgia’s ability to consolidate these gains will depend on maintaining consistent quality, strengthening food-safety compliance and keeping processing standards aligned with EU expectations. If these conditions are met, Georgian exporters could increase their share of EU imports and secure more stable, longer-term supply agreements, especially with chocolate and confectionery manufacturers seeking a reliable second origin next to Turkey.

Focused Trading Guidance

• Industrial buyers (EU): Use current Turkish price softness to extend coverage on standard kernels while selectively adding Georgian-origin volumes to diversify origin risk and test processing partners.
• Retail and premium brands: Consider Georgian kernels for origin-labeled or specialty lines, but lock contracts only with suppliers demonstrating robust quality and aflatoxin control; be prepared to pay a moderate premium versus mainstream Turkish offers.
• Georgian exporters: Prioritise long-term EU relationships over opportunistic sales, emphasising consistent quality, certifications and transparent processing to translate the ongoing reputation recovery into structural price premiums.

3-Day Directional Price Indication (EUR)

• Turkey – FOB Istanbul kernels 11–13 mm, 13–15 mm: Slightly softer to sideways as new-crop arrivals continue and local demand stays muted.
• Georgia – FCA Warsaw kernels: Broadly steady with a mild downward bias as buyers compare offers more aggressively against cheaper Turkish alternatives.
• Organic kernels (TR, FOB Izmir): Stable at elevated levels; limited availability and steady niche demand should cap near-term downside.