On the Black Sea, the hazelnut harvest starts in the first half of August and runs to mid-September, coastal orchards first and higher elevations later. Timing is critical: harvesting early cuts kernel yield, while harvesting late exposes nuts to moisture and mould risk.
From picking to drying
Picked nuts are husked and separated, and then comes the most critical step: drying. From traditional sun-drying to mechanical dryers, the goal is the same — bringing in-shell moisture down to the safe band. Insufficient drying is the number one source of aflatoxin risk in storage.
Factory intake
Every batch arriving at the plant passes moisture measurement, yield analysis and sensory checks. Accepted lots are labelled with grower and orchard information before storage — the first link of the traceability chain is forged here.
Harvest season is also when prices form; crop estimates, stock levels and demand shape the market. For buyers with long-term grower relationships, the season is less a negotiation than a renewal of years of trust.
