SA's first hazelnut exports expected by 2016

South Africa’s first commercial crop of hazelnuts is expected to be ready for export by 2016 as the country readies to take on countries such as Chile, Argentina, New Zealand and Australia as an alternative source for the nut. The country’s first largescale hazelnut cultivation project in Africa was launched in KwaZulu Natal in 2009 by the Ferrero group through its South African subsidiary, Agrisudafrica. The company uses hazelnuts in many of its chocolate products, including its signature Ferrero Rocher brand. Tommasso De Gregorio, managing director of Agrisudafrica, told FTW that Ferrero had imported over a million hazelnut plants into South Africa in 2009 and 2010 – the largest import of plant material ever into the country. “As with all nut trees, hazelnuts are a long-term investment as they need at least five to seven years to mature before entering production and we are excited to start reaping the rewards by 2016,” he said. “We think there are good reasons to invest in hazelnuts. It’s an attractive longterm investment, it’s something different, and it requires a reduced amount of work compared to crops like cherries. Nuts can also be stored for a long period and can be transported without any problem.” De Gregorio pointed out that South Africa was competing against other southern hemisphere countries such as Chile, Argentina, New Zealand and Australia to produce hazelnuts. Climatic conditions in Chile especially are similar to those in South Africa. The company’s Chile operations have been operating for 20 years. “Chile is now a strong and modern hazelnut market. That is what we would like to replicate in SA,” he said. Writing in the International TradeProbe publication, economist Asanda Languza said South Africa had huge potential for hazelnut production. “The production of hazelnuts has an added advantage because it has counter seasonality from the northern hemisphere, which produces in September. South Africa could sell hazels between March and April.” De Gregorio noted that Agisudafrica planned to eventually expand the cultivation of hazelnuts as a source of raw material for the Ferrero group. He admitted that bringing a new crop to the continent was challenging but that the company’s agronomical team had been continuously following up and testing to ensure success. According to De Gregorio, the current setup in Kokstad, KwaZulu Natal includes two farms with all the agricultural equipment and trained employees. CAPTION Ferrero has imported over a million hazelnut plants into South Africa.