Quick Answer for Buyers
Turkish hazelnuts are one of the most important nut products in global food trade. They are widely used by chocolate manufacturers, bakeries, snack brands, breakfast cereal producers, spread manufacturers, food-service companies and private label retailers. Turkey is recognized as the world’s leading hazelnut origin, especially for buyers looking for consistent supply, strong product identity and flexible processing options.
For professional buyers, Turkish hazelnuts are not simply one product. They can be supplied as natural hazelnut kernels, roasted hazelnuts, blanched hazelnuts, roasted blanched hazelnuts, diced hazelnuts, sliced hazelnuts, hazelnut flour, hazelnut meal, hazelnut paste or in-shell hazelnuts. The right specification depends on the final use, target market, packaging format and required delivery term.
Sultan of Figs supports B2B hazelnut enquiries for importers, wholesalers, distributors, food manufacturers, food-service buyers and private label brands. Product discussions can include size, origin, grade, processing format, packaging, documentation, palletizing and international delivery options.
Why Turkish Hazelnuts Matter in Global Trade
Turkey has a unique position in the hazelnut industry. The country’s Black Sea region has the climate, soil structure and farming tradition needed for commercial hazelnut production. This gives Turkish hazelnuts a strong reputation among international buyers, especially in Europe, the Middle East, North America and Asia.
For buyers, Turkish origin creates three important advantages:
- Strong product identity
Turkish hazelnuts are already familiar to chocolate, bakery, snack and confectionery buyers.
- Wide processing flexibility
The product can be supplied raw, roasted, blanched, diced, sliced, milled or converted into paste depending on the application.
- Commercial scalability
Importers and private label brands can build programs around bulk, food-service, industrial or retail-ready packaging.
Turkey’s hazelnut exports are closely followed by the global nut industry because crop size, quality and availability can influence international pricing and procurement decisions. In recent industry reporting, Turkey remains the leading hazelnut origin, although crop volumes can change from season to season depending on weather and regional yield conditions.
Giresun and Levant: Understanding Turkish Hazelnut Origin Types
One of the most important topics in Turkish hazelnuts is the difference between Giresun quality and Levant quality.
Giresun Quality Hazelnuts
Giresun quality hazelnuts are associated with the Giresun region and are often valued for their rich aroma, higher oil content, thin shell structure and good skin removal performance after roasting or blanching. This type is especially important for premium snack products, confectionery applications and buyers who want a strong Turkish hazelnut identity.
Giresun hazelnuts are commonly preferred when the buyer needs:
- A premium origin story
- Strong hazelnut flavor
- Good roasting performance
- Better skin removal after heat treatment
- High-quality retail or confectionery applications
Levant Quality Hazelnuts
Levant quality is the general commercial name used for hazelnuts grown outside the defined Giresun quality area. Depending on origin, buyers may see names such as Levant Ordu, Levant Akçakoca, Levant Trabzon or Levant Samsun. Levant hazelnuts are widely used in industrial food production, bakery, chocolate, biscuits, cereals, spreads and mixed nut programs.
Levant hazelnuts are commonly preferred when the buyer needs:
- Competitive bulk supply
- Industrial processing performance
- Flexible sizing and packaging
- Strong value for chocolate, bakery and snack applications
The choice between Giresun and Levant should not be based only on price. It should be based on the buyer’s final product, target consumer, flavor expectation, processing needs and brand positioning.
Main Commercial Forms of Turkish Hazelnuts
1. Natural Hazelnut Kernels
Natural hazelnut kernels are shelled hazelnuts with the brown skin still attached. They are one of the most common forms in international trade and are used as a raw material for further processing.
Common applications include:
- Roasting
- Blanching
- Chocolate production
- Bakery products
- Snack mixes
- Breakfast cereals
- Granola
- Hazelnut spread and paste production
Natural kernels are often sold in sizes such as 9–11 mm, 11–13 mm, 13–15 mm and 14–16 mm. The larger the millimeter range, the larger the kernel. This is different from cashew and almond count systems, where lower numbers usually indicate larger size.
2. Roasted Hazelnut Kernels
Roasted hazelnuts are produced by applying controlled heat to natural kernels. Roasting develops aroma, improves crunch and gives the hazelnut a deeper flavor profile. The roasting degree can change according to the buyer’s requirement: light roast, medium roast or dark roast.
Roasted hazelnuts are used in:
- Chocolate bars
- Pralines
- Biscuits
- Ice cream
- Turkish delight
- Premium snack mixes
- Bakery toppings
- Breakfast products
For professional buyers, roasting consistency is very important. An uneven roast can create flavor variation, color inconsistency and performance problems in chocolate or bakery production.
3. Blanched Hazelnut Kernels
Blanched hazelnuts are heat-treated to remove most of the brown skin. This creates a cleaner, lighter appearance and a smoother texture. Blanched hazelnuts are preferred when the final product needs a lighter color, cleaner visual presentation or reduced skin content.
Blanched hazelnuts are commonly used in:
- Premium confectionery
- White chocolate applications
- Creams and fillings
- Dessert production
- Retail snack packs
- Private label products
The skin removal rate is an important quality point. Buyers should clearly state their expectation for attached skin percentage, especially for visual retail or premium food manufacturing.
4. Roasted Blanched Hazelnuts
Roasted blanched hazelnuts combine two important processes: roasting and skin removal. This format is one of the most useful options for chocolate, bakery, confectionery and snack applications because it provides aroma, crunch and a clean appearance at the same time.
This format is suitable for buyers who need:
- Strong roasted hazelnut flavor
- Low skin content
- Clean appearance
- Stable performance in chocolate and bakery production
- Ready-to-use ingredient format
5. Diced Hazelnuts
Diced hazelnuts are produced by cutting or crushing natural, roasted or blanched hazelnut kernels into smaller pieces. Industrial sizes may include ranges such as 0–4 mm, 1–3 mm, 2–4 mm, 3–5 mm, 4–8 mm, 5–11 mm or 7–11 mm, depending on the buyer’s application.
Diced hazelnuts are widely used in:
- Ice cream
- Chocolate coatings
- Biscuits
- Cakes
- Pastry
- Breakfast cereals
- Granola
- Dessert toppings
The most important point in diced hazelnuts is size consistency. A chocolate producer, for example, may need small and uniform pieces for even distribution, while an ice cream producer may prefer a larger diced format for visible texture.
6. Sliced Hazelnuts
Sliced hazelnuts are cut into thin pieces and are mostly used for decoration, topping and visual texture. They are useful when the buyer wants hazelnut flavor and appearance without using whole kernels.
Common applications include:
- Cakes
- Pastries
- Biscuits
- Breakfast bowls
- Dessert decoration
- Chocolate topping
- Premium bakery presentation
Sliced hazelnuts must be handled carefully because they are more delicate than whole kernels and can break during transport or processing.
7. Hazelnut Flour and Hazelnut Meal
Hazelnut flour or meal is produced by milling hazelnut kernels into a fine or coarse powder. It is used in bakery, confectionery, gluten-free formulations, dessert production, chocolate fillings and spreads.
Buyers should define:
- Fine or coarse texture
- Roasted or natural base
- Oil content expectation
- Packaging size
- Shelf-life requirement
- Intended use
8. Hazelnut Paste
Hazelnut paste is produced by grinding roasted hazelnuts into a smooth paste. It is a key ingredient for chocolate spreads, fillings, pralines, creams and confectionery products.
For hazelnut paste, the buyer should clarify:
- Roast level
- Texture or micron size
- Oil separation tolerance
- Packaging format
- Industrial or retail use
- Sugar-free or ingredient-only requirement
Hazelnut paste is not the same as hazelnut spread. Paste is usually a raw industrial ingredient, while spread normally includes sugar, oil, cocoa, milk powder or other ingredients.
Understanding Hazelnut Sizes: 9–11, 11–13, 13–15 and 14–16 mm
Hazelnut sizing is usually expressed in millimeters. This refers to the approximate diameter of the kernel.
Common kernel sizes include:
| Size | Meaning | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| 9–11 mm | Small kernel size | Industrial processing, diced products, paste, flour |
| 11–13 mm | Medium kernel size | Bakery, chocolate, snack mixes, processing |
| 13–15 mm | Large standard kernel size | Premium snack, confectionery, retail packs |
| 14–16 mm | Larger kernel selection | Premium applications, visual retail products |
Giresun Ticaret Borsası describes common decorticated hazelnut kernel categories as 13–15 mm, 11–13 mm and 9–11 mm, which are used as raw materials for processed and highly processed hazelnut products.
The key rule is simple:
In hazelnuts, a larger millimeter range means a larger kernel.
This is important because buyers who are familiar with almonds or cashews may expect the opposite. In almonds and cashews, lower count numbers often indicate larger nuts. In hazelnuts, the millimeter number directly represents size.
Which Hazelnut Format Should a Buyer Choose?
The right product depends on the buyer’s end use.
For Chocolate Manufacturers
Recommended formats:
- Natural hazelnut kernels
- Roasted hazelnut kernels
- Roasted blanched hazelnuts
- Diced roasted hazelnuts
- Hazelnut paste
Important criteria:
- Roast consistency
- Aroma
- Low rancidity risk
- Size uniformity
- Aflatoxin compliance
- Foreign matter control
- Stable fat quality
For Bakeries and Pastry Producers
Recommended formats:
- Natural kernels
- Roasted kernels
- Sliced hazelnuts
- Diced hazelnuts
- Hazelnut flour
- Hazelnut meal
Important criteria:
- Crunch
- Visual appearance
- Consistent particle size
- Moisture control
- Fresh flavor
- Packaging suitable for kitchen or industrial use
For Retail Snack Brands
Recommended formats:
- Roasted hazelnuts
- Roasted blanched hazelnuts
- Natural kernels
- Private label retail packs
Important criteria:
- Attractive appearance
- Fresh taste
- Low broken ratio
- Shelf-ready packaging
- Label compliance
- Strong origin story
For Spread and Paste Manufacturers
Recommended formats:
- Roasted hazelnuts
- Hazelnut paste
- Natural kernels for further processing
Important criteria:
- Roast level
- Oil stability
- Flavor intensity
- Smooth texture
- Bulk packaging
- Batch consistency
Quality Parameters Professional Buyers Should Check
A hazelnut quotation should never be evaluated only by price. The buyer should also check the product specification.
Important quality parameters include:
1. Origin
The specification should state whether the product is Giresun, Levant Ordu, Levant Akçakoca, Levant Trabzon, Levant Samsun or another agreed origin.
2. Size
The size should be clearly written, such as 11–13 mm or 13–15 mm. For diced products, the particle size should be written as a smaller range such as 2–4 mm or 3–5 mm.
3. Processing Format
The buyer should define whether the product is natural, roasted, blanched, roasted blanched, diced, sliced, flour, meal or paste.
4. Moisture
Moisture level affects texture, shelf life, roasting performance and food safety. Natural kernels generally have a different moisture profile from roasted products. Roasted hazelnuts usually require lower moisture for better crunch and stability. Industrial producers often specify moisture levels according to product form and final use.
5. Skin Content
For blanched or roasted blanched hazelnuts, attached skin percentage is important. A lower skin level creates a cleaner appearance and may be required for premium confectionery or retail applications.
6. Broken and Defective Kernels
Broken kernels, shriveled kernels, yellowish kernels, mechanically damaged kernels and twin kernels can affect appearance, processing performance and buyer acceptance.
7. Foreign Matter
Foreign matter may include shell pieces, membrane pieces, stones, dust or other unwanted materials. Professional buyers should request clear tolerances in the specification and certificate of analysis where applicable.
8. Flavor and Odor
Good hazelnuts should have a fresh, typical hazelnut taste. They should not have rancid, bitter, moldy, fermented, smoky or chemical odors.
9. Aflatoxin and Food Safety
Aflatoxin control is a critical issue for edible nuts. The European Commission regulates maximum levels for aflatoxins in food, and buyers may request batch testing, traceability and certificates depending on destination market requirements.
10. Certification and Traceability
European and international buyers often expect food safety systems, traceability and third-party certification. CBI notes that European buyers commonly request independent food safety certification and may also ask for sustainability and ethical sourcing evidence.
Packaging Options for Bulk, Food-Service and Private Label Hazelnuts
Packaging should be selected according to product form, destination, storage conditions and end use.
Common packaging options include:
- 25 kg vacuum bags
- 2 x 12.5 kg vacuum bags in carton
- 10 kg or 20 kg food-service packs
- 25 kg or 50 kg paper bags
- 50 kg or 80 kg jute bags
- Big bags for industrial use
- Retail pouches
- Stand-up zipper bags
- Private label consumer packs
- Branded cartons or mixed loading plans for qualified repeat buyers
Vacuum packaging can be especially useful for processed hazelnuts because it helps protect freshness, aroma and shelf life. Retail packaging should also consider oxygen barrier, light protection, label compliance and shelf presentation.
Private Label Turkish Hazelnuts
Private label supply allows importers, supermarket suppliers, e-commerce brands and specialty food companies to sell Turkish hazelnuts under their own brand.
A private label project may include:
- Product selection
- Size and grade selection
- Roasted, natural or blanched format
- Retail pack size
- Brand label design
- Label language
- Carton and pallet configuration
- Barcode and product information
- Export documentation
- Delivery term planning
For private label products, the buyer should share brand files, target market, preferred pack sizes, label language and any special claim requirements at the beginning of the quotation process.
Export Documentation and Delivery Terms
International hazelnut buyers need more than a product price. They need a clear commercial process.
Depending on the destination and agreement, documentation may include:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Certificate of origin
- Phytosanitary certificate where required
- Health certificate where required
- Certificate of analysis
- Aflatoxin analysis where required
- Product specification sheet
- Batch or lot traceability information
- Transport documents
Sultan of Figs can discuss shipment preparation according to the buyer’s required route, destination and delivery term. Products can be palletized, wrapped and loaded for truck or container transport.
For selected destinations and commercial agreements, DAP or DDP delivery may be discussed. Under DDP terms, customs clearance and applicable import duties are included in the delivery arrangement. Availability depends on the destination, product, order quantity, customs conditions and final quotation.
HS Codes for Hazelnuts
For customs classification, hazelnuts are generally listed under HS heading 0802. The United Nations classification identifies 080221 for fresh or dried hazelnuts or filberts in shell and 080222 for fresh or dried shelled hazelnuts or filberts. Final classification should always be confirmed with the importer, customs broker or official tariff system in the destination country.
Common reference codes:
| Product | HS Code |
|---|---|
| Hazelnuts in shell | 080221 |
| Shelled hazelnuts / hazelnut kernels | 080222 |
What to Include in a Hazelnut Quotation Request
A detailed quotation request helps the supplier prepare a more accurate offer.
Please include:
- Required product form: natural, roasted, blanched, diced, sliced, flour, meal or paste
- Origin preference: Giresun, Levant Ordu, Levant Akçakoca or flexible origin
- Size requirement: 9–11 mm, 11–13 mm, 13–15 mm, 14–16 mm or diced particle size
- Expected quantity
- Packaging format
- Destination country
- Preferred delivery term: EXW, FCA, FOB, CFR, CIF, DAP or DDP
- Private label requirement, if any
- Target market and intended application
- Required certificates or analysis documents
- Expected reorder frequency
A buyer who simply asks for “hazelnut price” may receive a general offer. A buyer who shares size, origin, processing format, packaging and delivery requirements can receive a much more useful commercial quotation.
Request a Turkish Hazelnut Quotation
Looking for a reliable Turkish hazelnut supplier for bulk, food-service, industrial or private label supply?
Sultan of Figs can discuss Turkish hazelnut options according to your required specification, destination market, order quantity and packaging needs. Whether you need natural hazelnut kernels, roasted hazelnuts, blanched hazelnuts, diced hazelnuts, sliced hazelnuts, hazelnut flour or hazelnut paste, the team can help prepare a tailored B2B quotation.
Send your required product form, size, quantity, packaging format, destination country and preferred delivery term to receive a commercial offer based on your actual sourcing needs.
Request a Turkish Hazelnut Quotation
Send your required product form, size, quantity, packaging format, destination country and preferred delivery term to receive a commercial offer based on your actual sourcing needs.
Request DDP Quotation