Jan-Nov 2019: Georgia exported $54.76 million worth of hazelnuts

In January-November 2019 Georgia exported 10,879.4 tonnes worth $54.76 million of shelled and unshelled hazelnuts, which amounted to 1.6 per cent of total Georgian exports in this period, show data from the National Statistics Office of Georgia.

Figures from the National Statistics Office of Georgia.

In August-November 2019, Georgian hazelnuts were exported to 37 countries including 10 new export destination countries.

Figures from the National Statistics Office of Georgia.

In the first 11 months of 2019, out of the total hazelnut export, 2,391.1 tonnes were exported in shell, while 8,488.4 tonnes were exported shelled.

The top three countries to where Georgia exported unshelled hazelnuts in the first 11 months of 2019 were the following:

• China - 931.8 tonnes
• Italy - 826.8 tonnes
• Iraq - 293.8 tonnes

The top three countries to where Georgia exported shelled hazelnuts in the first 11 months of 2019 were:

• Germany - 1,790.1 tonnes
• Italy - 1,627.9 tonnes
• Russia - 637 tonnes

In 2014, the export value of Georgian hazelnuts exceeded that of wine for the first time, data from the country's Agricultural Ministry show. 

Figures from the National Statistics Office of Georgia.

However in 2016 the invasion of the brown marmorated stink bug destroyed a significant portion of the hazelnut harvest in western Georgia. 2017 was even more devastating and struck a wider area.

Figures from the National Statistics Office of Georgia.

Production of Georgian hazelnuts decreased after 2015 and amounted to only 17,000 tonnes in 2018.

Georgia is home to more than 60,000 hazelnut growers.