A HAZELNUT crisis could hit Ferrero Rocher chocs this Christmas.
A lack of rain and insect problems in Turkey, where 70 per cent of hazelnuts are grown, means the crop is a quarter lower than normal.
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And Ferrero, maker of the foil-wrapped treat as well as Nutella chocolate spread, buys a quarter of all the world’s hazelnuts.
Experts warn as a result there could be fewer boxes of the chocs on shelves, or a major price hike.
Hazelnut prices have already jumped 40 per cent.
A trader from Turkey told analysts Mintec: “We went to speak to farmers, and they all said the harvest would be much smaller than last year.
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We are seeing the effects of global warming, insect damage and, in particular, a lack of rainfall during the critical nut development period in May.”
Trade magazine The Grocer warned the shortage “could become a problem for big hazelnut buyers” such as Italian firm Ferrero.
Ferrero Rocher became known for its cheesy Ambassador’s party ads.
The original version ran from 1993 to 1999 and there have been several revamps since.
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It is not the first time that supply shortages of Christmas essentials have loomed over the big day.
Around this time last year, Brits were being warned to brace for a “nightmare”.
Some of Britain’s biggest retailers were warning of a shortage of presents such as toys, bikes and electronics due to the global shipping crisis.
Chocolate fans were warned that they might not be able to get hold of tubs of Quality Street.
Meanwhile, M&S said sales of frozen Christmas food soared by 500% as customers rushed to the shelves to stock up early on their Christmas essentials.
However, apart from Ferrero Rocher we have not yet heard of any other Christmas shortages.
Most of the major supermarkets have now released Christmas delivery slots for customers.
While many have launched Christmas savings schemes to help shoppers budget for the big day.
