An Overview of Hazelnut Markets and Policy in Turkey

Turkey is the biggest actor in the world hazelnut market with its production potential and policies. The aim of this paper was to assess the recent developments in the Turkish hazelnut market and policy. The time series data of hazelnut markets was taken from the internet databases of Food and Agriculture Organization (PAO), Turkish Statistical Institute (TSI), Black Sea Hazelnut Exporter Union (BSHEU), Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MoAF), Giresun Commodity ExChange (GCE) and Official Journal and Turkish Republic (OJoTR). Under the New Hazelnut Strategy, an area based payment has been provided to the hazelnut farmers in the authorized areas and a compensatory payment had been provided to the farmers in the unauthorized areas. Since 2001, while hazelnut, areas and the export of Turkey had increased, hazelnut yield and production had decreased. Despite increases in hazelnut prices. Turkey could increase hazelnut, export both in terms of quantity and value. While there is no need to limit hazelnut areas in high crop years. the government should establish a hazelnut buffer stock mechanism. The Turkish government should also create fair competition conditions for the actors in the hazelnut market with a more effective hazelnut policy.