Levant Hazelnuts

Quick answer

Levant hazelnuts from Turkey's western Black Sea coast. Verified exporters supply long, oval Levant-type kernels from Akçakoca, Düzce and Ordu in 11-13mm and 13-15mm grades, natural, blanched or roasted, with competitive FOB pricing for chocolate, bakery and snack industries.

Akçakoca / Düzce / Ordu

Origin

11-13mm / 13-15mm

Common grades

Natural / Blanched / Roasted

Forms

FOB Istanbul (Ambarli)

Export port

What Are Levant Hazelnuts?

Levant is one of the two main commercial classes of Turkish hazelnut, alongside the round Giresun type. Levant kernels are slightly longer and more oval, grown along the western Black Sea coast in provinces such as Akçakoca, Düzce, Sakarya and parts of Ordu. They are the workhorse of the global hazelnut trade, widely used by chocolate, praline, bakery and snack manufacturers who need consistent, competitively priced kernels in large volumes.

Turkey produces roughly two-thirds of the world's hazelnuts, and Levant-type kernels make up the bulk of exportable supply. Buyers specify Levant hazelnuts by size grade — most commonly 11-13mm and 13-15mm — and by form: natural (raw) kernels, blanched (skin removed), roasted, or further processed into diced, meal and paste. Fat content typically sits around 60-62%, which is why correct storage and a fresh crop matter for shelf life and flavour.

FromTurk connects international buyers directly with verified Levant hazelnut exporters in the Black Sea region. Suppliers offer vacuum or PE-lined carton and jute packing, FOB Istanbul (Ambarli) shipping, and documentation including aflatoxin analysis, EUR.1 or A.TR certificates for duty-free EU entry, and health certificates for Gulf and Asian markets.

Size Grades

Standard export grades of 9-11mm, 11-13mm and 13-15mm, sized on calibrated screens, with tighter tolerances available for automated chocolate lines.

Forms Available

Natural raw kernels, blanched, roasted, diced/chopped, sliced, meal/flour and paste — one origin covering the full processing chain.

Quality & Compliance

Aflatoxin-tested lots, moisture controlled to ~6%, metal detection and optical sorting, with EU-compliant documentation and traceability to crop year.

Levant Hazelnuts — FAQ

What is the difference between Levant and Giresun hazelnuts?

Levant hazelnuts are longer and more oval and are grown on the western Black Sea coast, while Giresun (Tombul) hazelnuts are round, carry PDO status and command a premium for their flavour. Levant is the higher-volume, more cost-effective class used across the chocolate and bakery industries.

What sizes do Levant hazelnuts come in?

The most common export grades are 11-13mm and 13-15mm, with 9-11mm also available. Kernels are calibrated on screens, and buyers can request specific size bands and tolerances for automated production lines.

Can Levant hazelnuts be supplied blanched or roasted?

Yes. Verified exporters supply natural (raw), blanched, roasted, diced, sliced, meal and paste from the same Levant origin, so a buyer can source multiple formats from one supplier and crop year.

Are Levant hazelnuts aflatoxin tested?

Reputable Turkish exporters test each lot for aflatoxin and supply the analysis with shipment, along with moisture and other quality parameters. This is essential for EU and Gulf import compliance.

How are Levant hazelnuts shipped from Turkey?

They are typically shipped FOB Istanbul (Ambarli) in vacuum bags or PE-lined cartons, with A.TR or EUR.1 certificates for duty advantages in the EU. Submit a free RFQ on FromTurk to compare verified exporters within 24-48 hours.

Related Hazelnut Products

Compare hazelnut options: Turkish hazelnuts overview, premium Giresun PDO hazelnuts and all Turkish food suppliers.

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