ISHS Acta Horticulturae 556: V International Congress on Hazelnut
HAZEL AS A FARM CROP IN THE U.K.: BIODIVERSITY, MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMICS |
| Author: | S.M. Newman |
| Keywords: | Corylus avellana, Dactylorhiza maculata, D. fuchsii, agroforestry, coppice, markets, production, environment |
| Abstract:
Details on the state of the art in U.K. coppice management and relevant global hazelnut research and production are evaluated. Given that the total U.K. market for hazel coppice products is worth less than £2m per year, there appears to be limited potential for planting the crop for this purpose. It would be more economically and environmentally appropriate to use the products of managed regeneration as part of multipurpose woodland management. Demand could be met from 100 ha of improved woodland. Further development is required in the area of identifying new markets (volume and export) rather than silviculture. There is a large market for dried hazelnut kernels in Europe. Import substitution for the U.K. would be worth at least £15m per year and if coupled with a reasonable European target could be worth £65m per year. This latter figure could be supplied from an area of 30,000 ha. It would appear that hazelnuts could profitably be produced from mechanised orchards or silvoarable systems using varieties and management (apart from irrigation) recommended by recent Dutch research. Design elements are outlined. | |
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