Hazelnuts (Filberts), Fresh or Dried

Because Turkey produces the large majority of global hazelnut supply, a single adverse weather event—late frost, drought, or hail in the Black Sea region—can sharply reduce world availability and drive price volatility. Importers relying on hazelnuts as a confectionery ingredient should consider forward contracting, inventory buffering, and monitoring Turkish crop reports from organizations such as the Fiskobirlik cooperative.

FDA has identified aflatoxin as a known hazard in hazelnuts, and importers must address it in their Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) hazard analysis. In practice, most buyers require lot-level aflatoxin test certificates from accredited laboratories. Shipments found to exceed FDA action levels may be detained or refused. Consult a licensed customs broker or FDA compliance specialist to ensure FSVP documentation meets current requirements.