Summary of Report on attendance at the 2025 Australian Hazelnut Growers Association Conference in Tasmania
Les McCracken
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The Australian Hazelnut Growers Association extended the New Zealand committee an invitation to attend their annual conference held in Launceston, Tasmania from 10 to 12 October this year. Les McCracken attended on behalf of the committee and this is a summary of his report to the committee.
Purpose and Overview
The reason for sending a representative to the conference is to both continue and strengthen the relationship the committee has established between the New Zealand and Australian hazelnut industries. This is especially important for us here in that the Australian association has just commenced a significant research programme and we hope to benefit from this work.
Around 40 attendees, split between researchers and growers, participated in the event, which included conference sessions and orchard visits.
While at the conference Les gave a presentation on the status of the New Zealand industry.
Key Highlights
Research Collaboration and Opportunities
HGA secured a $2 million, five-year AgriFutures grant for research into the Australian hazelnut industry, now one year underway. There are opportunities for New Zealand to benefit from this research, though local application would require investment.
HGANZ (New Zealand) is considering becoming an “Allied Member” of HGA for a modest subscription to further cement our relationship with our Australian cousins.
Joint conferences between the two countries are also a possibility.
Australian Hazelnut Industry Update
The Australian industry is expanding, with about 600 hectares (200,000 trees) and 580 tonnes produced in 2024, against a domestic consumption of 4,000 tonnes (most imported from Turkey).
Orchards are mostly small with a similar size range to New Zealand orchards, but larger, vertically integrated operations are emerging with up to 10,000 trees, selling directly to consumers, hospitality and manufacturers.
There are no dedicated wholesale processor/marketing entities, although some larger growers buy inshell nuts from smaller growers.
Mechanisation is increasing, with modern harvesting and processing equipment being adopted.
The industry faces challenges such as climate suitability (e.g., Ferrero Group’s withdrawal from Narrandera due to climate issues) and biosecurity threats, but also opportunities in consumer demand and industry support.
Research Programme
The research is guided by the “Australian Hazelnut 2030 Strategic Blueprint,” focusing on eight priorities: quality, profitability, consumer value, plant protection, sustainability, industry vibrancy, technology transfer, and communication. The Blueprint can be viewed at: https://agrifutures.com.au/product/australian-hazelnut-2030-strategic-blueprint/
Key projects include crop load management (yield estimation via a smartphone app), nutrition and irrigation, benchmarking frameworks, spatial mapping of orchards, sustainability frameworks, drying standards, and disease management.
Some projects, such as benchmarking and spatial mapping, are directly relevant to New Zealand, where similar data is lacking. Some project outcomes will include proprietary software which may have a cost to transfer the technology to New Zealand. Others will report scientific results which should be available to us via project reports.
Industry Presentations and Technology
Presentations covered precision agriculture (drones, bio-fertilisers), sucker management, plant/soil health, pest management (including biological controls), and advances in AI and robotics for orchards.
Orchard Visits
Hazelbrae
4,500 irrigated trees on 30.5 hectares south of Launceston. Trees planted include:
· Tokolyi/Brownfield Cosford (TBC) an Australian developed cultivar;
· Lewis as a polleniser; and,
· Barcelona as a polleniser.
The owner claimed 42 tonnes was harvested in 2025 which equates to 9.33kg/tree. Trees were planted 6m between rows and 6m between trees.
Archie’s Hazelnut
11,000 irrigated trees on 42.0 hectares planted in 2018, 2019 and 2021 north of Launceston. The orchard is on rolling country with little to no shelter.
To view photos from the Tasmania trip, please click on the link
Conclusion
The report highlights the value of ongoing collaboration between New Zealand and Australian hazelnut industries, the benefits of participating in research programmes, and the importance of adopting new technologies and industry practices. It also identifies opportunities for joint initiatives and the need for New Zealand to develop its own industry data and frameworks to fully leverage these opportunities.