More than 95% of hazelnuts in the United States are produced in Oregon, especially in the Willamette valley region, which has a history of more than 110 years of commercial cultivation. More than 800 family farms in the region depend on this for their livelihood. The Coleman family has grown hazelnuts here for six generations.

China is the largest market for local hazelnuts, and more than 60% of local hazelnuts are sold to China with Shells every year. This kind of hazelnut sold with shell is different from hazelnut used as kernel raw material, with better appearance, bigger fruit and easy peeling, which is deeply loved by Chinese consumers.

Due to the favorable development prospect of the Chinese market, local fruit growers have continuously expanded their planting area in recent years. The Coleman family also borrowed $ 2 million to expand the orchard in 2017. According to US Department of Agriculture data, 2018 is a good year for hazelnuts, with production increasing by about 60% from the previous year. As newly planted hazelnut trees mature one after another, future production is expected to increase year by year.

Larry George, president of the largest hazelnut processing enterprise in the region, told Xinhua News Agency that due to the influence of customs duties, the export to China has been reduced by half compared with previous years.  However, the impact of changes in the Chinese market on hazelnut prices is decisive.

Preliminary prices after hazelnut harvest in October 2018 showed that varieties mainly supplied to the Chinese market (Jefferson and Barcelona) sold for 62 cents per pound, significantly lower than the 96.5 cents in 2017 and the 1.18 dollars in 2016. Gary Rodakowski, chairman of Oregon’s Hazelnut Committee, pointed out the price was definitely a loss for growers.