Assessing Türkiye’s Competitive Position in the Global Hazelnut Trade: Trends, Opportunities, and Strategic Outcomes

OpenAlex İngilizce

Türkiye is the world’s leading producer and exporter of hazelnuts, accounting for approximately 70% of global supply and playing a central role in the trade of "Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons". Despite its dominance, recent years have seen growing competition from countries such as Italy, Spain, and the United States, threatening Türkiye's market share in key importing nations like Italy. This study examines Türkiye’s hazelnut export performance from 2019 to 2023, focusing on market share trends in the top 10 importing countries (Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, France, USA, Belgium, Poland, Canada and UK) and identifying both opportunities for growth in underpenetrated markets like Spain and the Netherlands and threats in declining markets. Through trend analysis, comparative evaluations, and theoretical frameworks like comparative advantage and Porter’s Diamond Model, the study provides actionable insights for exporters and policymakers to strengthen Türkiye’s global competitiveness. Unlike previous research, which often emphasizes macroeconomic trends, this study offers a granular, market-specific analysis, bridging a critical gap in understanding competitive dynamics within the hazelnut trade. Key findings highlight a declining market share in traditional strongholds like Italy, while stable but low shares in Spain and the Netherlands present untapped growth potential. The research emphasizes strategic interventions, such as market diversification, yield optimization, and policy support, to sustain Türkiye’s leadership in the global hazelnut sector.