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Italy's Hazelnut Harvest Halves, Squeezing Supplies for Nut Spreads

Weather extremes plus pest damage drove the slump, prompting warnings of consumer price rises.

Overview

  • Italy’s 2025 hazelnut crop is estimated at about 70,000 tonnes, roughly half the usual volume and the worst outcome in decades, with growers reporting widespread quality problems.
  • Turkey’s harvest also underperformed after frost damage, tightening global availability for manufacturers that rely on both countries.
  • Consumer prices for hazelnut products have already climbed since 2022, with 450g Nutella up 27% to €3.79, Nusspli up 37%, and Ritter Sport Voll-Nuss up 65%, according to price-tracking data.
  • Industry analysts say production costs will rise further and likely be passed to shoppers; Ferrero declined to comment on retail pricing, while noting Nutella contains 13% hazelnuts and produces about 500,000 tonnes annually.
  • Import shifts are being considered to cover shortfalls, with experts pointing to a good U.S. crop and potential future supplies from China, as Italian farm groups warn national output is in free fall and thousands of jobs are at risk.