Suitability of Nut Cultivation in the Netherlands [Ondertitel Van Document]
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October 15, 2015 Suitability of Nut Cultivation in the Netherlands [Ondertitel van document] Judith de Visser, Marcel Meyer, Ludovica Elena Zampieri, Lucas Manda, Irma Hoendervangers and Els Sweep ACT-1586 Contact Data Marcel Meyer @ [email protected] 06-83365770 Ton Baltissen @ [email protected] 02520-462111 PPO Fruit @ [email protected] 0488 - 473 702 ⌂ Lingewal 1, 6668 LA Randwijk 1 Executive summary In the previous century research was done on assessing the possibilities of nut cultivation in the Netherlands. The research indeed mentioned that there are possibilities of cultivating this crop in the country but only when night frost has to be controlled. A task was assigned by PPO Fruit to master students of Wageningen University to research on the suitability of nuts cultivation in the Netherlands. Cultivation of walnut and hazelnut in the Netherlands offers advantages and disadvantages current and future growers. This study has researched the agronomical, economic, social and sustainable side of walnut and hazelnut production, to limit risks and increase opportunities. From an agronomical perspective hazelnuts do seem to be a crop with high opportunities and low risks, due to their endemic occurrence in the Netherlands. This research pointed that, selection of cultivars that prosper in one part of the Netherlands might not do so in another, as rainfall, groundwater levels, soil composition or periods with frost differ. Moreover, biotic and abiotic stresses like pests, diseases and night frost were detected as constraining factors in current and future production systems. From ans economic point of view, the global market of walnut and hazelnuts is a risk. However, local markets offer opportunities for both products. Social aspects identified freshness of products, local-for-local, health and sustainable nuts production as opportunities from this industry. Risks are identified as increasing allergic reaction to tree nuts and weight gain. A sustainable nut production is expected to increase viability and profitability to both current and future growers. Keywords: Walnut, hazelnut, eco-economy, cultivation, agroforestry, cultivar selection, agro-ecological characterisation, (a)biotic stresses. 2 Acknowledgements A special recognition goes to all the experts, breeders and nut growers that have been a part of this research. They highly contributed to this report, spending their time on answering our questions, even during a very busy moment of the year, sharing their knowledge and experience with us. Their contribution was meaningful to gather insights of risk and opportunities for walnut and hazelnut cultivation in the Netherlands. Moreover, their information allowed us to broaden our approach, and to target specific knowledge gaps. Therefore, we would like to thank for their contribution the following people: Mr. Bruin; Mrs. & Mr. Feijen; Mr. Frenken; Mr. Friesen; Mr. de Koning, Drs. Langeveld; Mr. Oosterbaan; Mr. Schepers; Mr. van de Sluis; Mr. van t’ Westeinde; Mr. van Veluw and Mrs. & Mr. de Vries. 3 Table of Contents Executive summary...................................................................................................................................................2 Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................................................3 Table of Contents .....................................................................................................................................................4 List of Figures ........................................................................................................................................................6 List of Tables .........................................................................................................................................................7 Introduction ..............................................................................................................................................................9 1. Agro-ecological Zones .................................................................................................................................... 12 1.1 Material and Methods ........................................................................................................................... 12 1.2 Results and Discussion ........................................................................................................................... 14 1.3 Concluding Remarks .............................................................................................................................. 17 2 Cultivar Selection ........................................................................................................................................... 18 2.1 Cultivars of Walnuts .............................................................................................................................. 19 2.2 Cultivars of Hazelnuts ............................................................................................................................ 21 2.3 Concluding Remarks .............................................................................................................................. 23 3 Cultivars for the Netherlands ........................................................................................................................ 24 3.1 Suitable Areas for Walnut Cultivars ....................................................................................................... 24 3.2 Overview of Production Systems for Walnuts ....................................................................................... 27 3.3 Suitable Areas for Hazelnut Cultivars .................................................................................................... 28 3.4 Overview of Production Systems for Hazelnuts .................................................................................... 29 3.5 Concluding Remarks .............................................................................................................................. 31 4 (A)Biotic Stresses of Hazelnut and Walnut Trees .......................................................................................... 32 4.1 Biotic Stresses ........................................................................................................................................ 32 4.2 Abiotic Stresses ...................................................................................................................................... 41 4.3 Concluding Remarks .............................................................................................................................. 44 5 Economic Trends ........................................................................................................................................... 45 5.1 Economics of Walnuts and Hazelnuts ................................................................................................... 45 5.2 The Dutch Nut Market ........................................................................................................................... 48 5.3 The Dutch Nut Supply Chain .................................................................................................................. 49 5.4 Concluding Remarks .............................................................................................................................. 52 6 Consumer Trends ........................................................................................................................................... 53 6.1 Organic Production and Local-for-Local ................................................................................................ 53 4 6.2 The Healthy Nut ..................................................................................................................................... 54 6.3 The Sustainable Trend ........................................................................................................................... 58 6.4 Concluding Remarks .............................................................................................................................. 58 7 A Sustainable Nut .......................................................................................................................................... 59 7.1 Policies and Regulations ........................................................................................................................ 59 7.2 Definitions and Frames .......................................................................................................................... 60 7.3 Agroforestry ........................................................................................................................................... 64 7.4 Using the Whole Tree ............................................................................................................................ 74 7.5 Social Initiatives ..................................................................................................................................... 75 7.6 Concluding Remarks .............................................................................................................................. 76 Conclusion and Recommendations ......................................................................................................................