Did you know that Australia imports about 2000 tonnes of hazelnuts a year, worth around $10 million dollars? However, there are currently less than 75 hectare of trees planted commercially.
Based on a yield of approx 2500 kilograms a hectare, this would mean a requirement in Australia of about half a million trees - for import replacement alone!
The above figures do not include hazelnuts imported in mixed nut form or
as oil. Imports include in-shell nuts and kernel either whole or broken,
diced, sliced, meal, butter or paste. Major users include chocolate manufactures
such as Ferrero Rocher, Cadbury Schweppes and Nestle, as well as many smaller
boutique manufactures. Hazelnuts are distributed throughout supermarkets
and health stores, either in-shell, roasted or raw. They are used by bakers,
chefs, food manufactures and confectioners, and can replace most other nuts
in receipts.
Since Australia currently imports virtually all of its hazelnut requirements. There is a great opportunity for import replacement and planting, cultivation and distribution of fresh hazelnuts. Particularly as most imported nuts can be several months old.
Hazelnuts are rich in fibre, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, contain no cholesterol and are an excellent source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
There is an excellent opportunity for the planting, growing and cultivation of a crop in the Southern Hemisphere. This would allow the major Northern Hemisphere producers to have at there disposal a second crop midway through the year which would greatly enhance their cash flows.
Late 2005 saw very impressive price rises worldwide due to the growing demand for Hazelnuts for use as a “Health Nut” combined with the upsurge in confectionary use.
Hazelnut
Nursery Propagators is the largest propagator of its type in Australia
- producing true to variety planting material for the developing Australian
and Southern Hemisphere Hazelnut tree Industry.