The Hazelnut Industry has one of the best growth opportunities of any horticultural crop within Australia.
In 2024, the sector produced about 544 tonnes of in-shell hazelnuts with a farm-gate value of $5.5 million, according to the peak body.
Overall, the 2025 harvest was very positive with many growers seeing increased nut production. Unfortunately, others suffered from the continual crop losses from high bird populations. One grower reported that they had just harvested their best-ever yield, coming in at 41 tonnes. This was replicated by many growers across Australia.
“The main objective of the Association is the implementation of a plan that sees the domestic Hazelnut production grow to at last 5,000 tonnes over the next decade” said Mr Ranford, Executive/Communications Officer, Hazelnut Growers of Australia Inc (HGA). The growth of hazelnut industry is occurring in the cool climate regions of Tasmania, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
Implementation of a strong communications strategy is important for the expansion of the Australian Hazelnut Industry.
The HGA website has just been overhauled and relaunched (9th September 2025) and along with other social media platforms consumers, growers and prospective investors can obtain a wealth of information about hazelnuts.
“An informative national conference of the Hazelnut Growers Association has been planned for the 10th to 12th October in Launceston, Tasmania” said Mr Trevor Ranford.
A highlight of the conference will be the updates of the eleven R&D projects of the AUSHAZ program funded by AgriFutures Australia and managed by Charles Sturt University. Topics including benchmarking, sustainability, value-adding, tree mapping, pests and diseases and new technologies will feature as part of the conference.
“Any individual/business interested in attending and learning about the future of the Australian Hazelnut Industry is encouraged to register with the Association’ said Mr Ranford.
Potential participants can obtain more information from the HGA website – www.hazelnutgrowersaustralia.org.au
Trevor Ranford, Executive/Communications Officer, Hazelnut Growers of Australia Inc
Mobile: 0417 809 172
E-mail: sahort@bigpond.com
For more information or background material contact Trevor Ranford. Information on the industry and Conference are attached to this Media Release.