Established in 2005, Hazelnut Growers of Australia (HGA) is the peak body representing and promoting the hazelnut industry in Australia. In addition to advocating for our industry in government and horticulture forums, we provide our members with networking and training opportunities through an annual conference, farm walks and seminars, along with technical information and regular industry updates.
HGA is a member of Australian Nut Industry Council (ANIC), a federation of the seven tree nut growing industries which aims to strengthen and unify the nut industry and promote the production, marketing and consumption of nuts domestically and internationally. This includes the Nuts for Life initiative facilitated by ANIC, which works closely with health professionals, government, and other bodies to improve the nutritional reputation of nuts and provides comprehensive online health and nutrition resources.
We are a member funded organisation (as opposed to levy funded) and our industry’s development is supported at a governmental level by the AgriFutures Australia Research & Development Corporation (RDC) through its Emerging Industries program.
Supporting a healthy and sustainable Australian hazelnut industry
- HGA advocates on behalf of our industry by direct submissions or through our membership of ANIC with government and statutory bodies (including RDCs), and communicates regularly with expert scientists and researchers, advisory and consumer bodies and media. Matters have ranged from obtaining ATO tax rulings, gaining funding for important research projects, assessing regulations for product pack labelling and permissible health benefit claims associated with hazelnut nutritional content.
- We apply on behalf of our growers to the Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority for minor use permits for farm chemicals – herbicides and pesticides. Together with other tree nut industries we have formulated plans for dealing with biosecurity threats and response strategies in the event of an exotic disease incursion.
Knowledge sharing
- HGA Annual Conference brings leading national and international experts together with growers, with past topics ranging from hazelnut consumption trends, tree planting densities, mechanised harvesting solutions, and small-scale rack drying, grading and sorting. The conference rotates between the current major growing states (New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania) and presentations are subsequently made available to our members via the members only area of our website.
- Farm Walks, Field Days, Seminars – are held at least annually in each state on a regional basis, usually in members’ groves. These events feature expert speakers, and opportunities to share practical information and experience on a regional basis. Member input into the development and organisation of our annual conference and farm walk program is welcomed.
- Hazelnut Grower’s Handbook HGA maintains a Hazelnut Grower’s Handbook by Lester Snare of the NSW DII, which provides invaluable advice on growing, storing and processing hazelnuts. All new HGA members receive a USB stick containing this publication along with Hazelnut Variety Evaluation for South-Eastern Australia and Identifying Clonal Material by Basil Baldwin, and Pest and Disease Analysis for Hazelnuts by Lester Snare.