In New Zealand, Waikato hazelnut grower Raewyn Scott has expanded her certified organic orchard, managing 2500 hazelnut trees over four hectares. New plantings were added in 2015, 2019, and 2024 to align with demand. Certified organic by BioGro since February 2022, the orchard also holds food safety certification.
Scott employs organic practices, including the trial of Weedmat for grass control and harvest efficiency. Seaweed-based fertilizer is used in spring, with mowing in summer. Harvest occurs from March to April using a small commercial vacuum harvester, requiring multiple passes for complete nut collection.
The orchard includes six pollinator varieties to ensure pollination, with the main cultivar being White Heart, noted for its quality as a table nut. Pest control is managed through traps and manual monitoring.
Scott processes nuts as needed, engaging in sorting, cracking, and roasting for sale. The product range includes roasted and raw nuts, nut butter, and cold-pressed hazelnut oil, marketed for culinary and cosmetic applications.
Source: SunLive