Articles
French hazelnut production
Article number
1379_3
Pages
15 – 20
Language
English
Abstract
French hazelnut cultivation began in the 1970s and over the past 40 years, it has become the 2nd national nut produced.
Mainly located in the heart of the Middle Garonne until the 2010s, it has grown quite strongly since 2015 with an expansion of the planting area in the western half of the territory to its northern and in the Hauts-de-France.
In terms of production, more than 70% of the hazelnut farms are grouped within the UNICOQUE cooperative, which still collects 85% of French hazelnut production.
Over the past two years, French production has amounted to 8,000 t of in-shell hazelnuts, while the potential was estimated in 12,000 t.
Spring frost in 2021 and the heavy rainfall during flowering in 2020-2021 led to a reduction in production potential of around 30%. Over the past 20 years, average productivity has been of 2.500 kg ha‑1, with estimated variations ranging from 1,500 to 3,500 kg ha‑1. Today, with 7,500 ha of plantations, the expected French production will amount to 21,000 t in-shell nuts in 2028, which will remain much lower than the tonnage of hazelnuts currently consumed in France (29,000 t of shelled nuts). However, European regulations on the use of pesticides, which in 2023 forbade about 97% of molecules authorized, make the fight against hazelnut pests much more complex.
To this constraint is added climate change which will result, according to forecast models, in an average rise in temperature and much more marked climatic events, including drought, frost, storms, hail, and floods.
These potential hazards are all phenomena to anticipate while maintaining a high level of productivity.
The new context that we are dealing with arouses thinking about new, more resilient production models, and therefore continued development of alternative solutions based on new research and new technologies.
Mainly located in the heart of the Middle Garonne until the 2010s, it has grown quite strongly since 2015 with an expansion of the planting area in the western half of the territory to its northern and in the Hauts-de-France.
In terms of production, more than 70% of the hazelnut farms are grouped within the UNICOQUE cooperative, which still collects 85% of French hazelnut production.
Over the past two years, French production has amounted to 8,000 t of in-shell hazelnuts, while the potential was estimated in 12,000 t.
Spring frost in 2021 and the heavy rainfall during flowering in 2020-2021 led to a reduction in production potential of around 30%. Over the past 20 years, average productivity has been of 2.500 kg ha‑1, with estimated variations ranging from 1,500 to 3,500 kg ha‑1. Today, with 7,500 ha of plantations, the expected French production will amount to 21,000 t in-shell nuts in 2028, which will remain much lower than the tonnage of hazelnuts currently consumed in France (29,000 t of shelled nuts). However, European regulations on the use of pesticides, which in 2023 forbade about 97% of molecules authorized, make the fight against hazelnut pests much more complex.
To this constraint is added climate change which will result, according to forecast models, in an average rise in temperature and much more marked climatic events, including drought, frost, storms, hail, and floods.
These potential hazards are all phenomena to anticipate while maintaining a high level of productivity.
The new context that we are dealing with arouses thinking about new, more resilient production models, and therefore continued development of alternative solutions based on new research and new technologies.
Publication
Authors
B. Saphy, L. Ramade, J.L. Reigne, M. Thomas, J. Toillon
Keywords
Corylus avellana, climate change, pesticide regulation
Groups involved
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