Hazelnut: Forest Food and Oil Plant-Report from the XI International Congress on Hazelnut in Beijing from 4 to 8 August 2025

From 4 to 8 August 2025, the XI International Congress on Hazelnut of the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) was held in Beijing. The event was attended by 220 scientists from five continents, who presented 62 oral presentations and 41 posters. China is one of the ten largest hazelnut producers worldwide, with an annual production of 70,000 t of hazelnut kernels. However, commercial hazelnut production has only been established for the last 25 years. The area under cultivation expanded from 600 ha in 2005 to 112,000 ha in 2023. This rapid development has been achieved through breeding cultivars that are suited to Chinese growing conditions, as well as the work of numerous institutes involved in developing new cultivars, characterising, propagating and conserving hazelnut genetic resources, and optimising the cultivation and processing of hazelnut products. From Germany, Martin Penzel attended the Hazelnut Congress. This article provides an overview of the current state of hazelnut cultivation and breeding worldwide, reviews developments in cultivation systems and crop management, as well as the occurrence of relevant diseases and pests-particularly the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys ST & Aring;L) and the hazelnut weevil (Curculio nucum L.)-and how to combat them.