Piemonte hazelnut harvest starts early amid heat and drought

The hazelnut (nocciolo) harvest in Italy’s Piedmont region began about a week ahead of schedule as unusually high temperatures and prolonged lack of rain accelerated fruit maturation. Growers also faced insect attacks, hail and severe water stress, which together reduced expected yields.

Confagricoltura Piemonte expects the 2026 crop to be better than the previous year but still below the levels forecast in May. The association’s president, Enrico Allasia, warned that rising production costs and climate‑related challenges require adequate market prices to sustain the sector, which covers roughly 27,000 hectares across Cuneo, Asti and Alessandria. Regional officials, including agriculture assessor Paolo Bongioanni, have been urged to consider emergency measures such as water‑management support and a fund for replanting old hazelnut orchards.

The early start highlights the growing impact of climate change on Italy’s key hazelnut‑producing area, a strategic component of the regional agro‑food economy and a livelihood for thousands of farms.