Hazelnut Imports To India Jump 172% As Demand For Healthy Snacking Soars

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Almonds own breakfast. Cashews own celebrations. Pistachios own indulgence. Now, a new nut is quietly building its own identity on Indian plates - and the numbers suggest it is only getting started.

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Hazelnuts in India, long viewed as little more than a companion to chocolate, are fast becoming a staple across modern kitchens, cafés, bakeries and the healthy snacking aisle. Between 2020 and 2025, Türkiye's hazelnut exports to India surged by 172 per cent - from 352 to 985 metric tonnes. As the world's largest producer, Türkiye supplies nearly 98 per cent of India's hazelnut imports and accounts for over 60 per cent of global production across 120 countries.

The Nut That Reads Well On A Label

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Behind the trade numbers is a shift in how Indians eat. Health-conscious consumers are scanning labels, seeking protein-rich options, and insisting on foods that deliver genuine nutritional value without giving up on taste.

Hazelnuts fit that brief neatly. Rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fats, plant-based protein, fibre, vitamin E and antioxidants, they have moved beyond festive desserts into breakfast bowls, energy bars, nut butters and smoothies.

For food manufacturers, the versatility is the opportunity. Hazelnuts now feature in artisanal baked goods, premium dairy, café beverages, breakfast cereals, protein snacks - and even contemporary twists on traditional Indian sweets.

From Trade Talks To Table Habits

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The category's momentum took centre stage at the Turkish Hazelnut B2B Meeting and Networking Session in New Delhi, where Turkish exporters met Indian importers, manufacturers, retailers and nutrition experts to chart the next phase of growth. The conversations moved beyond trade figures to consumer education, culinary innovation and long-term partnerships.

Mr Hasan Osman Sabir, Chairman, Black Sea Hazelnut and Products Exporters' Association (KFMİB), Türkiye, said, "India has moved past being viewed as merely an export market and is now a strategic long-term partner in growing the category." He pointed to India's young population, expanding café culture and rising appetite for premium, healthier foods as reasons the country ranks among the most promising hazelnut markets in the world.

Nutritionist, dietitian and author Kavita Devgan brought the consumer lens to the discussion, noting that Indian eating habits are shifting towards foods that combine nutrition with taste. Hazelnuts, she said, have the potential to graduate from an occasional festive treat to an everyday ingredient - finding their way into breakfast bowls, snacks, desserts and modern Indian recipes.

Takeaway

The ambition, industry stakeholders agree, is not to displace India's favourite nuts but to earn hazelnuts a category of their own - the way almonds became synonymous with daily nutrition and cashews with celebration. With trade volumes climbing, consumer awareness rising and manufacturers innovating around the ingredient, the hazelnut is steadily positioning itself as India's next everyday nut.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.