Hazelnuts (Corylus avellana)
The hazelnut pages on this site include listings of hazelnut nurseries, growers, sales as well as industry overviews, propagation information, hazelnut products and a range of other hazelnut related information.
The hazelnut, also known as filbert, is native to the Black Sea coast area. This region, particularly the northern coastline of Turkey remains the world's most productive area for hazelnuts. Other leading production areas include Italy and the U.S. states of Oregon and Washington.
In Australia hazelnuts are grown commercially in Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and more recently in Western Australia. Although there are no large scale commercial plantings of hazelnuts in Australia, there is a growing interest in their cultivation. The Rural Research and Development Corporation is providing financial assistance to Hazelnut Growers of Australia Inc. who undertake the majority of the hazelnut development and improvement work.
| Australian Hazelnut Industry
The Australian hazelnut industry comprises mainly small family orchards of up to 6,000 trees. Currently 200 ha is under cultivation producing almost 50 tonnes. This is expected to increase to around 300 ha producing 100 tonnes in-shell by around 2011. It is estimated that 1,500 to 2,000 ha of well-managed plantings would meet Australia's current requirement. (Source - Australian Nut Industry Council, 2009) Market The aims and objecives of Hazelnut Growers of Australia are to promote the development of hazelnut production in Australia, to provide a facility for the pooling of resources for activities such as Research and Education, to provide a legal entity to facilitate the interaction with government and other organisations and to provide a forum to meet like-minded growers, exchange ideas and improve their productivity and skills. Access the Hazelnut Growers of Australia website for a range of information on hazelnuts.
Hazelnuts - Tasmania |
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Hazelnut Preliminary Research Plan
To assist in the development of a hazelnut industry in Tasmania, while providing data for
the Australian industry as a whole, a Hazelnut Preliminary Research Plan (May 2007) (PDF 123 kb) was developed by Dr Sally Bound, Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research.
Hazelnut Field Day
(17 February, 2008)
The field day was conducted in collaboration between the Rural Industries Research and
Development Corporation, the University of Tasmania, Charles Sturt University,
the Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research and the Hazelnut Growers of
Australia Inc. The Notes provide a brief summary of the background of the speakers and
the key aspects of their presentations. The Hazelnut Field Day Notes (PDF 393 kb) were provided by Dr Sally Bound, Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research.
Cultivation
Hazelnuts require either reliable rainfall or irrigation for the production of good quality nuts. Good conditions and water supply result in a plentiful crop of plump nuts with shells that easier to crack. Hazelnuts also prefer a climate with a mild summer and cool winter.
The hazelnut tree blooms and pollinates in the middle of winter. Wind carries the pollen from catkins (male flowers) to small red female flowers, where pollination occurs. The flowers remain inactive until spring, when fertilisation occurs and the nuts begin to develop. Hazelnuts require cross-pollination so two or more varieties are required.
Hazelnuts begin to bear around 3 years of age but commercial crops are not produced until around 6 years of age. The tree blooms and pollinates in winter and is wind pollinated. Wind pollinates the female flowers but fertilisation and nut development does not occur until spring.
Kernals develop from around October to March and April marks the begining of the hazelnut season. In warmer areas the season is earlier - late February to the end of March. The nuts fall to the ground naturally and need to be quickly collected, by hand or harvester, and then washed and dried.
Prospective growers should seek advice on variety selection to suit varying climate and soil conditions. For plantings on a hobby farm or larger commercial scale it is recommended you consult a nursery specialising in hazelnuts or/and Hazelnut Growers of Australia.
See also:- Hazelnut Growers Handbook (Lester Snare - Industry and Investment NSW)
- Hazelnuts In A Nutshell (Hazelnuts Tasmania Pty Ltd)
- The Basics of Establishing a Commercial Hazelnut Grove (Australian Gourmet Hazelnuts - NSW)
You may be interested in the Hazelnut Growers handbook to be added to your list of information. It is now available via the link below. This handbook was produced by Lester Snare Industry and Investment NSW with support from the Hazelnut Growers of Australia Inc and Horticulture Australia. http://www.hazelnuts.org.au/doc/2010%20Handbook%20Book%20orderJB%20Mail.doc
Australian Hazelnut Nurseries
- A & B Hazelnut Trees (Lue - New South Wales)
- Australian Gourmet Hazelnuts (Mudgee - New South Wales)
- Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery (Western Australia)
- Flemings Nurseries (Victoria)
- Hazelnut Nursery Propagators (New South Wales)
- Hazelnuts Tasmania Pty Ltd (Hagley - Tasmania)
- Mt Buffalo Hazelnuts (Bright - Victoria)
- The Merry Nutfarm (The Patch - Victoria)
Australian Hazelnut Growers
- Australian Gourmet Hazelnuts (Mudgee - New South Wales)
- Hazelnuts Tasmania Pty Ltd (Hagley - Tasmania)
- Mt Buffalo Hazelnuts (Bright - Victoria)
- Preolenna Chestnuts (and hazelnuts) (Tasmania)
- The Merry Nutfarm (The Patch - Victoria)
Australian Hazelnut Sales
- Australian Gourmet Hazelnuts (Mudgee - New South Wales)
- Mt Buffalo Hazelnuts (Bright)
- The Merry Nutfarm (The Patch)
Health and Nutrition
Hazelnuts are high in fibre, energy, kilojoules and contain significant amounts of thiamine and vitamin B6, as well as smaller amounts of other B vitamins. See the Health and Nutrition - Hazelnuts page for more details.
Additional Information
- Hazelnut Growers of Australia (HGA website)
- Hazelnut Production 2008 (Department of Primary Industries NSW)
- Pest and Disease Analysis in Hazelnuts 2006 (Lester Snare - Department of Primary Industries NSW)
- A Field Evaluation of the
Productivity
of Hazelnuts 1999 (Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation)
- Hazelnut Variety
Assessment
for South-eastern Australia 2003 (Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation)
- Hazelnut Market Assessment Study 2003 ( Hazelnut Growers of Australia Ltd)
- Wikipedia - Hazelnut
History of the Hazelnut
- Hazelnuts In A Nutshell (PDF 633 kb) Hazelnuts Tasmania Pty Ltd
- The Wikipedia has an excellent section on the history of the hazelnut.
Overseas Links
- Hazelnut Growers Association of New Zealand Inc. (NZ)
- Hazelnut Council (US)
- Oregon Hazelnuts (US)
- Hazelnut Growers of Oregon (Weasnut) (US)
