HazelSamen

Why this project? 

​​Hazelnuts are a suitable crop for farms looking for other future prospects. The crop is indigenous but still rather niche in Flanders (±12 ha). Hazelnuts are sold internationally at high market prices. The average market price is €25.5/kg for shelled hazelnuts (from project ‘Nood aan noot’) and in Belgium there is sufficient demand from the chocolate industry. Moreover, vacant barns can be converted into a building where nuts can be shelled and dried. Lastly, hazels make a positive contribution to farm biodiversity, soil erosion resistance and the landscape value of the region.​ 

Research approach and expected results 

​​HazelSamen is an EIP (European Innovation Partnership) preparatory project. As part of HazelSamen, farmers Filip, Johan, Len, Betty and Lieven aim to determine, with the support of ILVO, Boerenbond Projecten, Flanders’ FOOD and Migino, which cooperation model is most suitable for them and the common goal they want to achieve. This also takes into account the amount of land the operational group needs to expand or scale up to invest in harvesting and processing machinery and ensure their price is competitive with foreign countries. 

After this one-year preparation project, we will evaluate whether to further formalise the collaboration in an EIP collaboration project or through another grant channel (e.g. VLIF). 

Target group 

The aim of this project is to reach farmers who would like to be part of a partnership focusing on hazelnuts. This partnership is open to experienced hazelnut growers and tree growers, as well as those who are still new to the crop. We are also looking for actors who use hazelnuts or their by-products in their production process, who see added value in hazelnuts from their own region. In consultation with them, we will explore what role they can/will play in a possible cooperation with hazelnut producers. Other companies may also come forward if they are interested in helping this new farming initiative get off the ground. 

Project partners 

​​Flanders’ FOOD manages and coordinates the project. The other subsidised partners are Boerenbond Projecten and ILVO. Migino assists the operational group as a non-subsidised partner. Participating farmers are Filip Donck, Len Van den Berge, Betty Eeckhaut, Lieven Polet and Johan Erregat. 

Each partner’s role

Flanders’ FOOD is the project coordinator. Flanders’ FOOD will also use its network within the agri-food industry to list initiatives related to sponsoring local agricultural activities. Flanders’ FOOD will subsequently encourage companies to apply one of these initiatives for farmers in this operational group. 

Boerenbond Projecten will support farmers with their expertise in finding a common vision that should lead to a new collaboration involving hazelnuts in Flanders. In addition, Boerenbond Projecten will look for new farmers to join this operational group.  

ILVO, as coordinator of the ‘Agroforestry Flanders’ consortium, will support our group of farmers with knowledge on the technical aspect of cultivation, as well as its profitability. For this, ILVO relies on previous research from the ‘Nood aan noot’ project and on ongoing research from the PRO-NOOT project. Furthermore, ILVO will look for new farmers within the various working groups on agroforestry. ​

Keen to join? 

​​Would you like to join our operational group concerned with hazelnuts? Or would your company like to collaborate on a local and sustainable initiative? If so, please feel free to contact ellen.martens@flandersfood.com. ​ 

Participation fee and terms and conditions 

​​Participation in the operational group is free. It requires the will to share knowledge and insights. ​