Turkey's Hazelnut Harvest Faces High Yield Prospects and Rising Weed‑Control Costs

Turkey anticipates one of its most productive hazelnut seasons, with the 2023/24 crop expected to match the highest yields in recent years. The Turkish hazelnut sector accounts for roughly 75% of global production and generates about $2.5 billion in export revenue. Experts warn that July heat, insufficient rainfall, and pest pressure could jeopardise the harvest if conditions deteriorate.

In the Black Sea provinces of Giresun and Trabzon, unusually heavy rains have spurred rapid weed growth, forcing many growers to perform orchard cleaning twice instead of once. Labor expenses have surged, with daily wages for weed‑removal crews reaching up to 7,000 lira. Some producers are resorting to self‑performed cleaning to curb costs, while others must hire additional workers, adding financial strain to the season.