Hazelnut Farming in India 2026
A temperate nut of high demand but minimal Indian cultivation, suited only to cold hills.
Overview
Hazelnut, also called filbert, is a temperate nut widely used in chocolate spreads, confectionery and bakery, with strong global demand led by countries such as Turkey and Italy. In India, hazelnut cultivation is almost negligible and largely at the exploratory or trial stage, found mainly in cold Himalayan pockets. The country imports nearly all the hazelnut it consumes, so there is theoretical scope for domestic production, but practical cultivation faces real limits. Hazelnut needs cool, humid temperate conditions with winter chilling and is sensitive to extreme heat and dryness. It is also wind pollinated and needs compatible pollinizer varieties. For Indian farmers, hazelnut should be viewed as an unproven, niche experiment for high, cool hill areas rather than a reliable commercial crop. Anyone interested should confirm suitability with a temperate horticulture research institute, secure genuine compatible planting material, and begin with a very small trial planting.
Climate
Needs a cool, humid temperate climate with cold winters that provide chilling, mild summers and protection from late spring frost. It dislikes high heat and dry air, so only high, cool Himalayan locations approach its requirements. It is not suited to plains or warm zones at all.
Soil
Prefers deep, fertile, well drained loamy soils that hold moisture but never waterlog, with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of about 6 to 7. Good organic matter and steady moisture help, but stagnant water causes root disease.
Planting & Spacing
Use genuine, named, compatible varieties and plant more than one cultivar for cross pollination, since hazelnut is wind pollinated and largely self incompatible. It is often grown as a multi stemmed bush or trained tree. Plant in the dormant season and provide shelter from drying winds.
Varieties
Globally grown cultivars include Barcelona, Tonda di Giffoni, Ennis and various Turkish types, planted with suitable pollinizers. In India no cultivar is yet commercially proven, so rely entirely on temperate research institute guidance when sourcing material.
Care & Management
Maintain steady soil moisture, mulch to keep roots cool and feed with balanced nutrition and organic matter. Manage suckers if grown as a single tree, or maintain a controlled bush. Protect from late frost and drying winds, and watch drainage closely to avoid root problems.
Pests & Diseases
Hazelnut worldwide faces nut weevils, aphids, mites and big bud mite, plus diseases such as eastern filbert blight and bacterial blight. In India, with almost no commercial planting, local pest behaviour is unknown, so any trial must be monitored closely with expert support.
Yield & Harvest
Hazelnut typically starts bearing in about 3 to 5 years and reaches full yield around 8 to 10 years, then crops for many years. Because commercial cultivation in India is effectively absent, there are no reliable Indian per hectare yield figures, so any expectation must be treated as unverified and experimental.
Cost & Profit
Since hazelnut is essentially untested commercially in India, its economics here are speculative. Globally kernels sell at good prices and demand from the chocolate and confectionery industry is strong, but without proven local yields, processing or markets, Indian farmers cannot count on returns. Treat it strictly as an exploratory crop.
These are indicative ranges. Actual cost and income vary by region, market and management, so verify locally.
Market & Demand
Global demand is driven by the chocolate spread and confectionery industry, and India imports nearly all its hazelnut. This suggests long term potential, but at present there is no domestic hazelnut supply chain, so a grower would need to develop buyers directly if any crop is produced.
Subsidy & Support
There is no dedicated hazelnut scheme in India. Any support would come under general temperate horticulture diversification through MIDH or state programmes where trials are undertaken. Consult a temperate horticulture research institute and your state department before any planting.
Where to grow it in India
Frequently asked questions
Is hazelnut grown in India?
What climate does hazelnut need?
Does hazelnut need more than one variety?
Why does India import almost all its hazelnut?
Should I plant hazelnut as a commercial crop in India?
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