Market
Raw hazelnut (Corylus spp.) is a niche nut category in Brazil with very limited domestic cultivation reported, mainly in southern states (Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina) and often at domestic-orchard scale. Brazil participates in hazelnut trade primarily as an importer; UN Comtrade (via UNdata) shows Brazil’s imports of in-shell hazelnuts (HS 080221) materially exceed its exports. Market access and continuity depend on compliance with Brazilian food-safety limits for mycotoxins (notably aflatoxins) and on MAPA’s import controls via SISCOMEX/VIGIAGRO and published phytosanitary requirements. Given global supply concentration in major origin countries, Brazil’s buyers can face availability and price shocks that transmit quickly to landed costs.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market (very limited domestic cultivation)
Domestic RoleNiche consumer and ingredient nut; limited domestic orchard production in southern states
Market GrowthMixed (recent decade (trade proxy))small-volume imports with year-to-year volatility
Risks
Food Safety HighAflatoxin non-compliance can block market access or trigger enforcement actions in Brazil because ANVISA sets maximum tolerated limits for total aflatoxins in nuts (excluding Brazil nuts), explicitly including hazelnuts.Implement a pre-shipment sampling and accredited lab testing program for aflatoxins with a lot-level Certificate of Analysis; maintain strict supplier approval and corrective-action procedures for any out-of-spec results.
Regulatory Compliance MediumImport clearance can be delayed or prevented if MAPA authorization steps are missed (e.g., licensing/LI needs in SISCOMEX) or if the product/origin/form is not aligned with MAPA’s plant health authorization list (PVIA) and published phytosanitary requirements.Before contracting, confirm PVIA authorization and any published phytosanitary requirements for the specific origin and form; validate SISCOMEX/MAPA licensing needs and align documentation with the importer’s VIGIAGRO checklist.
Labor Rights MediumIf sourced from Türkiye, hazelnuts carry recognized child-labor and seasonal worker risk exposure in the harvest supply chain, creating reputational and buyer-audit failure risk for Brazil importers and downstream brands.Apply human-rights due diligence for Türkiye-linked supply (supplier code, third-party assessments, worker protections, and remediation/education programs aligned with credible initiatives such as ILO/FLA work in hazelnut harvest areas).
Supply Concentration MediumGlobal hazelnut supply is concentrated in major origin countries; weather/pest shocks in key origins can tighten availability and drive rapid price increases, impacting Brazil’s landed costs and contract performance.Diversify approved origins/suppliers, maintain coverage stocks for critical programs, and use contract structures that manage extreme volatility (e.g., indexed pricing or staged purchasing).
Logistics MediumPort inspection, documentation mismatches, or packaging/marking non-conformities can cause holds and delays at entry points monitored by VIGIAGRO, increasing demurrage and affecting supply continuity.Run pre-shipment document and labeling/packaging conformity checks against Brazil import requirements; use experienced customs brokers and schedule inspections/clearance steps proactively.
Sustainability- Supplier transparency and traceability expectations for imported hazelnuts, especially when sourcing from fragmented supply chains in major origin countries.
Labor & Social- Child-labor risk in seasonal hazelnut harvesting in Türkiye has been a documented, systemic concern addressed by multi-stakeholder programs (relevant when Brazil sources from Türkiye or Türkiye-linked supply chains).
FAQ
What is the aflatoxin limit that applies to hazelnuts in Brazil?Brazil’s health authority (ANVISA) sets maximum tolerated limits for total aflatoxins in “nuts excluding Brazil nuts,” a category that explicitly includes hazelnuts; the limit is 10 µg/kg for total aflatoxins in that category.
Is Brazil a producer or importer of raw hazelnuts?Brazil has very limited hazelnut cultivation reported (mainly in Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, often at domestic-orchard scale) and participates primarily as an importer; UN Comtrade (via UNdata) shows Brazil importing more in-shell hazelnuts (HS 080221) than it exports.
Which Brazilian authority handles import inspection for plant products like hazelnuts?Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA) oversees entry conditions for many plant products, and its VIGIAGRO system performs inspection and checking upon entry at ports, airports, and border points when applicable.