For comparison, growers received 90 cents per pound for the Barcelona shell variety and 97 cents per pound for the Jefferson shell variety. However, at the end of the marketing season, farmers in the hazelnut industry can expect to receive a payment higher than the current two-tier minimum of 90 cents per pound for grain varieties and 65 cents per pound for in-shell cultivars, said Ross of HGBA. Uncertainties over shipping hazelnuts in shell to China, its main destination, have caused its initial minimum price to differ from that of the grain harvest, which faces a more stable market, experts say. It is difficult to calculate the exact area dedicated to filberts (hazelnuts) in Turkey, since there are no real statistics available.
In 1629 filberts (hazelnuts) were included in a selection of seeds sent to the Massachusetts Company. It is not necessary to introduce bees to the garden, because filbertas (hazelnuts) are pollinated by the wind. It imports about 45% of the filberts (hazelnuts) it consumes annually, there is room for expansion and a bright future is expected for the filbert industries of Oregon and Washington. Capital Press argues that the downward pressure has been due to China's tariffs, as China is the main importer of US hazelnuts.
With some major importers being driven out of business due to these issues, the logistics of exporting hazelnuts to China is unclear, said Larry George, president of George Packing Co. Hazelnuts produced for grains will reach at least 90 cents per pound in Oregon this year, or 25 cents more than the minimum price for in-shell harvesting. The value of the Turkish currency has also fallen, making its hazelnuts more competitive in the world market, he said. Filberts (hazelnuts) are then sold to consumers in shell, or to bakers and savers in shell form.
