Nuts are getting more popular worldwide, as their health benefits are being promoted. Due to this trend of increased consumption, the relatively small New Zealand market can expect to grow.
One of the 3 main nut crops, with an average annual crop of around 500,000 tonnes, hazelnuts are comparable to walnuts and almonds. Most hazelnuts, which are imported into NZ are cheap, and of poor quality.
Currently 200 tonnes are annually imported, up from 65 tonnes 15 years ago. Like olives and various food crops, the local industry needs to market and show its strength in producing a high quality product, of superior flavour, at a competitive price.
A prospective grower's first consideration of an orchard should be the climate: rainfall, frost & sunshine at the right times are all important. The relationship with the market and the proximity to native bush, which can see crops attacked by pests are location issues. Lie of the land is less important as hazelnuts drop to the ground, therefore flat land ladder work is not critical.
Hazels prefer fertile heavy soils where they crop well. Slightly acid (pH 6-7) soil is ideal with good moisture throughout the year, but require adequate drainage, as they don't like being water logged. However provided they are well sheltered and watered, good crops can be obtained on a wide variety of soil types.
They prefer cool climates and fruit best in areas of New Zealand that favour apple culture. Nevertheless they will tolerate a fairly wide range of temperatures, being frost hardy to -15c when dormant.
They grow as a small bushy, deciduous tree and although multi stemmed, they are generally commercially grown with a single trunk to around 5m. It takes at least 6 years before a reasonable crop is harvested but from then on yields will escalate quickly.
Plantings must consider pollinators and their positioning to prevailing winds carefully. Harvesting varies from February to April, with 3-4 weeks per variety. Vacuum harvesters are available to suck the nuts off the ground. Nuts can be left on the ground as long as conditions are dry for a few days, once collected the nuts must be dried and stored in a cool dry location.
There are three main types: those with small nuts of high flavour for the confectionery trade, large table nuts which crack easily, and those with nuts which stick in the husk. Being easily blanched is highly desirable to confectioners. The majority are traded as kernels providing a ready to use product for the retail trade. Hazelnuts are the easiest nut to sell at the roadside stall.
Currently NZ growers are receiving around $13-20 kg retail for top clean kernel and $3 to $4 per kg in-shell, with predictions of $5.00 + in the next few years being achievable. Graham Blane director of The Hazelnut Company Limited, a grower owned company with 55 shareholders, believes this to be quite viable.
Graham and his wife Dawn have 1,400 trees of various cultivars, mainly the excellent flavoured "Whiteheart" whose low vigour enables denser plantings. After considering numerous options for their 10-acre block they settled on hazels with their relative easy care nature, minimal labour requirements and future prospects.
Hazelnuts have limited pests and diseases in this country. Although Big bud mite can be a major problem on susceptible varieties in drier areas. Stink bugs and green shield beetles are especially prone near bush, whilst the Hazel blight fungus is usually only a problem in areas with prolonged wet periods. Elimination or control is possible.
More marketing and research is being undertaken in New Zealand. Dry roasting is proving popular for a value added product: snack food, deserts, chocolates and muesli etc. Statistically net returns on an orchard when reaching maturity are around $5,000/ha per year, for about 2-3 weeks work a year.
As with all cash crops, prices vary from region to region, between cultivars and yields etc. But certainly the prospects for New Zealand appear good for this healthy food source.
Thank you to the NZTCA and TheHazelnut Company for information.
