Market
In-shell hazelnuts in France are supplied by a developing domestic orchard base concentrated in southwest France, with cooperative-led sorting, calibration, and packing. The French harvest starts from September and much of the crop is commercialized in-shell, supporting year-round availability after drying and storage. For HS 080221 (in-shell hazelnuts), UN Comtrade data (via WITS) shows France as a net exporter in 2024, with exports substantially exceeding imports and Italy a key destination. Market access is highly sensitive to EU mycotoxin (aflatoxin) compliance requirements for nuts.
Market RoleNet exporter (in-shell hazelnuts, HS 080221) with domestic production concentrated in southwest France
Domestic RoleDomestic orchard crop supplying in-shell retail and industrial uses, complemented by extra-EU and intra-EU sourcing when needed
SeasonalityHarvest starts from September; dried and stored hazelnuts are marketed year-round.
Risks
Food Safety HighAflatoxin non-compliance in hazelnuts can trigger border rejection, market withdrawal, or destruction/return actions in France/EU under official controls.Run pre-shipment aflatoxin sampling/testing to EU maximum levels; enforce drying and low-humidity storage; keep full lot traceability and COAs aligned with importer checklists.
Labor Rights MediumHazelnuts sourced from Türkiye have a documented child-labour risk in seasonal agriculture, creating due-diligence and reputational exposure for French/EU buyers when origin traceability is weak.Map supply to farm/region, require social compliance evidence and remediation pathways, and align with recognized multi-stakeholder/ILO-linked programs used by confectionery supply chains.
Regulatory Compliance MediumExtra-EU consignments may face plant-health and official-control documentation and process requirements (including TRACES workflows where applicable); documentation gaps can cause delays that increase storage time and quality/compliance risk.Confirm product/origin-specific plant-health requirements in advance; use experienced customs/border agents; pre-notify where required and maintain contingency plans for delayed clearance.
Climate MediumDomestic French in-shell supply can be volatile due to weather shocks (e.g., frost/heat/drought) and pest pressure, potentially disrupting contracted export programs and pricing.Diversify sourcing across regions and origins; maintain buffer inventory and flexible contracts; monitor pest and weather risk indicators during the pre-harvest period.
Sustainability- Pest-control chemistry and pollinator impacts are a recurring scrutiny theme in French orchard systems; regulatory changes can affect available insecticide options for hazelnut pests.
Labor & Social- For imported hazelnuts sourced from Türkiye, seasonal-harvest child-labour risk is documented by international organizations and is a recurring buyer due-diligence focus in confectionery supply chains.
- Migrant and seasonal worker welfare (housing, safe work, child protection) can be a reputational and compliance theme in hazelnut harvesting regions supplying the EU.
FAQ
When is the French harvest season for in-shell hazelnuts?French hazelnuts are reported to be harvested starting from September, and then dried and stored so they can be marketed throughout the year.
What is the main trade-stopping food safety risk for hazelnuts entering France?Aflatoxins are the key compliance risk: EU law sets maximum levels for aflatoxins in hazelnuts, and non-compliant lots can be rejected at the border or withdrawn from the market. For example, Regulation (EU) 2023/915 lists maximum levels for hazelnuts to be subjected to sorting/physical treatment of 8.0 µg/kg for aflatoxin B1 and 15.0 µg/kg for the sum of aflatoxins.
Why do some buyers ask for social due diligence when hazelnuts are sourced from Türkiye?Child labour risk in seasonal hazelnut harvesting in Türkiye has been explicitly addressed by the ILO and industry partners (including CAOBISCO), and hazelnuts from Türkiye appear on the U.S. Department of Labor ILAB list associated with child labor. As a result, many downstream buyers request traceability and evidence of worker and child-protection measures.