Turkey exported 206,032 tons of hazelnut and obtained 1.29 billion USD in the 11th month of 2009-2010 hazelnut export season which started on September 1, 2009.

Looking to grow its product in the 140-million-person Russian market, the Hazelnut Promotion Group, or FTG, has hired world-champion figure skater Irina Slutskaya to promote the Turkish export in her home country.

The Hazelnut Promotion Group has attended the XXIX. World International Nut and Dried Fruit Council in Beijing held in China between 21-23 May 2010. Different types of hazelnuts and consumer products in which hazelnuts are used as an ingredient were displayed in the hazelnut promotion group's stand.

Turkey earned 1.030 billion USD of income from hazelnut exports in the first eight months of the export season that began in September 2009.

Turkey's hazelnut production is increasing rapidly but exports have failed to keep up with this rise, creating an imbalance that has resulted in excess supply, according to a survey by the Hazelnut Promotion Group.