Edible nut crops

● Globally, 4.2 million metric tonnes of nuts were produced in the 2017-18 season and more than 11 per cent were hazelnuts

● Most hazelnut trees in New Zealand are in the South Island but research suggests the eastern regions of the country from Hawke’s Bay to Marlborough have the best potential

● The Chilean hazelnut is the southernmost grown species of macadamia. It is frost tolerant, bee-friendly and forest hardy, meaning it has the potential to be grown with, or as an alternative, to pine.

from simply selling the nuts in-shell, raw or roasted, through to more value-added products such as nut oil, milk, coffee, flour, and uses for the shells.”

Redpath said many specialist nut tree nurseries had closed in the past 10 years so supplies were limited, and this was an example of the need for teamwork between sectors.

“The remaining suppliers are unlikely to invest in new mother beds to increase supply unless they can see a sustained increase in orders into the future. Landowners are often reluctant to commit to a change of land use unless they can see a clear path to market for their produce,” he said.

“At the other end of the supply chain, processors and retailers need certainty of supply before they will invest in new markets or products.”

Federated Farmers national vicepresident Andrew Hoggard said he had rows of nut trees on his property “but they are just there as shelter and shade and for the occasional snacking”.

He said the additional machinery and time required to make a profit from the nuts would be his biggest concerns.

“But maybe there is a place for someone else to handle all that. Much like beekeepers have hives on my land and I get a heap of free honey each year.” ■ — NZME