Raw Hazelnut Monthly Update (Turkiye) 2026-02

The occurrence of Ramadan during the winter season has significantly increased the consumption of nuts and traditional dried fruits in the agri-food sector. Retailers report heightened demand for date varieties such as Jerusalem, Medina, Shugai, Safavi, and Ajwa, alongside dried apricots, figs, raisins, and shelled local walnuts. Products like tahini and molasses are also popular for their energy-boosting properties during sahur. The colder months and longer nights have driven consumers to enjoy hazelnuts, pistachios, almonds, and other nuts with tea and coffee after iftar, reinforcing the importance of natural and traditional products on Ramadan tables.

The overlap of Ramadan with the winter season has significantly increased the consumption of dried fruits and nuts in Turkey. Consumers are showing heightened demand for date varieties such as Jerusalem, Medina, Shugai, Safavi, and Ajwa, along with traditional dried fruits like apricots, figs, and raisins, favored at both sahur and iftar for their natural ingredients and satiety benefits. Shelled domestic walnuts, sesame paste with molasses, and other nuts including hazelnuts, Antep pistachios, and almonds are also seeing increased consumption, especially during long winter nights after iftar. Retailers like Musko Dried Fruits report a surge in sales as these traditional and natural products remain staples on Ramadan tables.

The overlap of Ramadan with the winter season has significantly increased the consumption of dried nuts and fruits as consumers seek energy-rich and natural foods for sahur and iftar. In particular, demand for various date varieties—Jerusalem, Medina, Shugai, Safavi, and Acve—has surged, alongside traditional products such as dried apricots, figs, raisins, walnuts, almonds, and seeds. Shelled local walnuts and sesame paste with molasses are also popular for their energizing properties during sahur. The colder months have driven higher consumption of hazelnuts, Antep pistachios, and almonds, often enjoyed with tea or coffee after iftar. Suppliers emphasize their commitment to providing fresh, high-quality products to meet the increased demand during this period.

The hazelnut market is experiencing significant difficulties as traders face losses of up to 70 lira per kilo, with current prices at 250 lira compared to initial purchase prices of 320-330 lira. This price drop has led to weakened cash flow and slowed trade, threatening the survival of many exporters and greengrocers. Despite low yields, producers are holding onto approximately 100 thousand tons of hazelnuts, expecting price increases that have yet to materialize, further stalling the market. The General Directorate of Agricultural Reform has been urged to revise the purchase price to 300 lira, but no adjustments have been made, leaving both producers and traders uncertain about the future.

Three invasive species—the brown marmorated stink bug, the citrus long-horned beetle, and the false tortoiseshell butterfly—are significantly impacting agricultural production in the Eastern Black Sea region. The brown marmorated stink bug, widely distributed, causes quality and yield losses particularly in hazelnuts during harvest, directly affecting producers economically. The citrus long-horned beetle, though localized, severely damages trees by boring into trunks, prompting quarantine and tree removal measures. The false tortoiseshell butterfly population has declined due to natural enemy pressure but may rebound depending on climate conditions. Experts highlight the region's mild climate as conducive to invasive species proliferation and stress the importance of early detection, monitoring, and biological control methods, with chemical control as a last resort.

Three invasive species—the brown marmorated stink bug, the citrus long-horned beetle, and the false sphinx moth—are causing significant damage to agriculture in the Eastern Black Sea region. The brown marmorated stink bug, widely distributed in the area, particularly affects hazelnut yields and quality, with damage intensifying near harvest time. The citrus long-horned beetle, although localized, severely weakens trees by boring into trunks, prompting quarantine and removal measures. The false sphinx moth population has declined due to natural enemies but may resurge depending on climatic conditions. The region's mild climate facilitates the survival and spread of these invasive species, necessitating continuous monitoring, early warning systems, and biological control methods to mitigate economic losses.

Due to above-seasonal temperatures causing early leafing in hazelnut orchards, Giresun faces increased risk of agricultural frost damage. The Giresun Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry has urged hazelnut producers to obtain agricultural insurance through TARSİM, highlighting that the state provides up to 70 percent premium support to reduce costs. The deadline for insurance application is March 3, 2026, and producers are advised to act promptly to avoid system congestion and mitigate potential crop losses from sudden temperature drops.

The Türkiye Ziraat Odaları Birliği (TZOB) highlighted notable price changes in essential food products ahead of Ramadan 2026, with market prices rising for 32 out of 39 products compared to last year. The highest market price increase was for lemons at 197.4%, while dried onions saw the largest producer price decrease due to spoilage risks. In the last 15 days before Ramadan, prices increased for 27 out of 41 market products, with leeks showing the highest rise, whereas green lentils decreased the most. TZOB also found significant price disparities for identical branded products across different markets, with variations up to 68.3% for sunflower oil. The organization urged increased inspections and consumer vigilance against counterfeit products amid rising production costs and market price manipulation.

Balsu Gıda experienced a significant rebound in sales in early 2025, securing new contracts exceeding 4.4 billion TL by mid-February, signaling the return of postponed demand after a first-half decline in exports by over 50% in quantity compared to the previous year. The company anticipates a gradual acceleration in sales volumes from the third quarter onwards, aligning with market normalization and maintaining its budget targets for the July 2025–June 2026 period. Additionally, Balsu Gıda is advancing its activated carbon production from hazelnut shells to industrial scale with improved technology, and progressing with the commissioning of its new crushing plant in Chile, expected to begin operations in March 2025.

Rising air temperatures in Giresun have triggered early budding in hazelnut orchards, raising concerns about agricultural frost damage. Nurittin Karan, President of the Giresun Chamber of Agriculture, emphasized the importance of hazelnut producers obtaining state-supported frost insurance through TARSİM to protect their crops from sudden temperature drops. Applications for frost insurance policies are open until March 3, 2026, covering risks such as frost, hail, and other natural disasters. Karan highlighted the increasing impact of climate change on crop risks and urged producers to proactively secure their harvests to safeguard their livelihoods.