When conditions are favorable, losses can reach 30 per cent. However, losses exceeding 60 per cent have been known to occur. This is a snapshot of the hazelnut industry in Italy, as reported by the Nocciolare.it website, which is based on interviews with industry experts. As has been the case for multiple seasons, the losses are significant but inconsistent.
Lazio
There is a significant production disparity in Lazio. According to Benedetto Valentini and Giacomo Santinelli of the Assofrutti agronomic office, the initial production estimate of 35,000 to 40,000 tons has decreased considerably due to extreme weather events this season. They estimate a 40 per cent loss in production potential. The situation is uneven. Younger plants are holding up well, meaning they are resisting and yielding nearly as expected. Older plants, on the other hand, performed poorly, with losses ranging from 60 to 100 per cent in the most serious cases. Some producers have decided not to harvest in order to avoid further costs. "Producers' morale is being severely tested amid economic concerns and uncertainty about the future. Nevertheless, the desire to react remains strong, as demonstrated by the joint action of producer organizations and ongoing innovation projects."
© Cristiano Riciputi | FreshPlaza.com
Campania
The situation in the Campania region is not much better. "In terms of quantity, production in 2025 is again below average, with an estimated drop of 30-40 per cent compared to the area's potential. This is similar to what was recorded in 2023," says Francesco Napolitano, technical manager of the producers' organization OP Cerere. "The quality appears rather heterogeneous." One recurring problem is the Asian hazelnut bug, which has compromised the health and marketability of hazelnuts in some areas. Therefore, quality varies greatly from area to area and from farm to farm.
Piedmont
Of Italy's three main hazelnut-producing regions, Piedmont appears to be facing the greatest difficulties. As reported previously in Freshplaza's daily coverage in August, substantial losses have been reported almost everywhere. It's also worth noting that the limited crop that was ready has been hampered by recent rainfall. Gianluca Griseri, the hazelnut specialist at the Agrion Foundation, explains: "Fruit drop is a phenomenon that has been occurring significantly for the past three to four seasons. It is undoubtedly linked to several possible triggering factors, including climate change, temperature fluctuations, water stress, insect damage, nutritional imbalances, and improper pruning."
Meanwhile, at the 166th Hazelnut Fair in Castagnole delle Lanze, a town in the province of Asti in the Piedmont region of Italy, the opening price for hazelnuts from the 2025 harvest was announced. The price is between €470 and €520 per 100 kilograms.
Access the full article and additional information at www.nocciolare.it