Grower Partnerships
At Carboor Farms, we are proud to be experienced growers and industry leaders in the Australian hazelnut industry. We have a deep understanding of the processes, practices, and challenges involved in growing and producing high-quality products.
We understand that starting a new venture in the industry can be daunting and that is why we're here to help. Whether you're looking to start a small or large orchard or are interested in expanding your existing operation, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Our services include but not limited to:
-
Orchard design and establishment: We can assist you in designing and establishing your orchard, providing you with the knowledge and expertise necessary for a successful operation.
-
Crop management: Our team can provide guidance on best practices for crop management, from planting and pruning to irrigation and pest control, ensuring that your orchard is productive and sustainable.
-
Post-harvest handling and processing: We can provide guidance on best practices for handling and processing your harvest, ensuring that your products are of the highest quality.
-
Market access: Our extensive network in the industry can help you access the best market opportunities, from direct sales to food service and exports
-
And more.
We believe that our success as a grower is built on the success of our fellow growers and industry members, and that's why we're dedicated to providing the best possible support and guidance to new entrants in the industry. Let us help you turn your passion into a successful operation with our expert guidance and support.
Hazelnuts: The Ultimate Tree Change
Are you looking to leave the big city rat-race and make the move to the country? Are you seeking a great lifestyle for a young family? Do you have some spare land and water that you are looking to diversify your on-farm income? Do you have a few years before retirement? Hazelnuts will provide the lifestyle you are seeking.Superannuation you can see growing
After the collapse of share and residential real estate prices in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, many people are looking for alternative superannuation schemes they can see growing. Hazelnuts are an ideal alternative. Just like a superannuation fund, farmers make an investment (land and planting) and then make small further investments (mowing, spraying, and pest control) during the seven to ten year wait for full commercial production. At all times, you can see the performance and make changes to your inputs. Just like superannuation, growing nut trees is not without risks – drought, bushfires, floods and birds can take a terrible toll.What are the benefits of growing hazelnuts?
There are many benefits of growing hazelnuts over regular superannuation including tax benefits of being a primary producer. Truffles grow symbiotically on hazelnut tree roots too!
Where can I grow them?
Hazelnuts are extensively grown throughout Victoria (Wangaratta, Myrtleford, Yarra Valley, Seymour and Ballarat), New South Wales (Orange, Bathurst) and Tasmania (around Launceston), with lesser coverage in South Australia and Western Australia. Hazelnuts require good access to water, either as irrigation or natural rainfall, adequate chill hours during winter and good warm summers.
How much does it cost to start up?
- Land cost: 31%
- Trees: 34%
- Planting labour: 6%
- Tree accessories: 4%
- Irrigation: 21%
- Equipment/other: 4%
What are the annual costs?
Annual costs of weed control, mowing, pruning and fertilizing are $1,000 to $2,000 per hectare per year.
How much will I make?
Production for the first few years is low and just suitable for personal consumption. From around the seventh year, trees will start to produce commercial quantities with full production from about the tenth year with around three to five kg per tree. This equates to two to three tonnes per hectare.
Obviously, depending on the season and care applied to the orchard there is some variability, but breakeven will be somewhere about the twelfth year following planting.
Where can I sell them?
If you want to give up your weekends, hazelnuts can be sold through farmers markets. Alternatively, Carboor Farms in Wangaratta, Victoria is buying crops from growers to aggregate and sell as kernel product into the wholesale market.
Selling to Carboor Farms
Carboor Farms provide certainty to growers about pricing based on meeting required quality standards here referencing OECD Inshell Hazelnuts and Hazelnut Kernel available here.
The standard Hazelnut Purchase Agreement is available here and is based on a base price with additions or deductions for quality, crack out rate, inclusions volume and other characteristics.