The 500-hectare orchard is located in a single location, in the Kyiv region, near the town of Tetiiv, 170 km south of Kyiv.
The orchard is planted on the lands of the agricultural enterprise Elita, which was founded in 1958 and is part of the Gals Agro group of agricultural companies.
Variety composition
- Tonda Di Giffoni;
- Tonda Gentile delle Langhe;
- Tonda Gentile Trilobata;
- Tonda Gentile Romana;
- Tonda Francescana;
- Nocchione;
- Barcelona.
For 2026 the main
variety is Tonda Di
Giffoni.
Hazelnut hub
We are developing a hazelnut hub. We consolidate orders from regional producers and form wholesale batches for further sale. A primary processing cycle is in operation:
Receiving and weighing the harvest
Primary cleaning of foreign impurities
Washing and drying as needed
Forming wholesale batches
Advisory support
We provide advisory support to farmers and to those who are only planning to enter hazelnut production. We share our experience of industrial cultivation and best practices.
Our goal
To create a consolidated center in the Kyiv region. To unite hazelnut producers and give them access to the wholesale market and export channels. We are open to cooperation with hazelnut producers of any scale.
Planting layout scheme in the orchard
Main plot
- Row length up to 200 meters;
- 4 meters between rows;
- 3 meters between plants in a row;
- Pollinators — 20%, every fifth row;
- Every fourth inter-row is 6 meters wide.
Young plot
- Row length up to 200 meters;
- 4.5 meters between rows;
- 3 meters between plants in a row;
- Pollinators — 20%, every ninth and tenth rows.
All blocks of the orchard are equipped with weather stations and automatic drip irrigation with separate supply of water and fertigation solutions. The pumping stations are powered by solar power plants and use 100% renewable energy.
The entire area of the young orchards undergoes intensive mechanical treatment without the use of herbicides.
Most of the plantings are formed from micro-cloned seedlings from the Italian laboratories Batistini and Vitroplant, in cooperation with Italian agronomists from the companies BESANA and CORYLUS EST.
We have several test plots to study the development of new hazelnut varieties in the conditions of central Ukraine.
Location
Tetiiv, Kyiv region.
Status
The largest hazelnut
orchard in Ukraine
Innovation
Precision farming
Premium quality hazelnut
We grow traditional Italian varieties valued by confectioners around the world for their taste, aroma and size.
1. Tonda Gentile delle Langhe and Tonda Gentile Trilobata
The best varieties for the confectionery industry.
Origin: Piedmont region, Northern Italy.
Characteristics: A medium-sized nut with a pronounced three-sided shape. The shell is thin and strong. Spherical, with a high yield of clean kernel (46 - 48%). Easily peeled after roasting.
Flavor profile: An intense, lasting aroma and a sweet aftertaste. The benchmark for producing premium chocolate and nut paste.
2. Tonda Di Giffoni
The signature product of the Campania region. The variety is valued for its perfect calibration and versatility.
Origin: Province of Salerno, Italy.
Characteristics: A large or medium-sized nut of perfectly round shape. A white, crunchy kernel with excellent texture. The yield is 44 - 47%.
Flavor profile: A very aromatic variety that reveals itself during heat treatment. Thanks to its shape, it is ideal for use whole and inside sweets and bars.
3. Tonda Gentile Romana
One of the most sought-after varieties for the confectionery industry thanks to its consistency and easy peeling.
Origin: Lazio region, Italy.
Characteristics: A medium-sized nut, spherical, slightly flattened on the sides. It has a thin shell and a kernel that is easily peeled of its brown skin.
Flavor profile: A subtle, delicate aroma and a crunchy texture.
4. Nocchione
A powerful pollinator and a reliable industrial variety. Known for its hardiness and high yield.
Origin: Central Italy (Lazio/Umbria).
Characteristics: A large, almost spherical nut with a strong shell. The kernel is dense, juicy and resistant to mechanical damage. The kernel yield is about 38 - 40%.
Flavor profile: A classic nutty taste with light herbal notes. Most often used in blends for producing pralines and as a table nut for fresh consumption.
5. Barcelona
A classic of European orchards and the foundation of the US hazelnut industry.
Origin: Spain (Catalonia).
Characteristics: A large nut of a heart-shaped or slightly elongated form. A thick shell and a substantial kernel. Kernel yield: 39 - 43%.
Flavor profile: A rich, buttery taste with pronounced sweetness. Thanks to its size, the variety is a favorite for in-shell sales and for the snack market.
6. Tonda Francescana
A variety that combines the best genetic traits of the legendary Italian varieties.
Origin: Developed at the University of Perugia, Italy. A hybrid of the Tonda Gentile delle Langhe and Tonda di Giffoni varieties.
Characteristics: A medium-sized nut of perfectly round shape. High productivity and disease resistance. Kernel yield: 46 - 48%.
Flavor profile: It has an intense aroma that is enhanced by roasting.
Our care is based on advanced technologies. Italian agronomists help us bring the plantings to optimal yield and high-quality fruit. Even in climatically difficult years the quality is not inferior to benchmark samples. We sell our entire volume of production (in-shell hazelnut) to Italy.
Sustainability
A modern approach to cultivation that preserves the environment and guarantees consistent quality.
Environmental safety
Sustainable land use. A minimal pesticide load keeps the environment clean.
Efficiency
Mechanization and automation of all care processes allow every work cycle to be carried out on time.
Green energy
Thanks to solar power we produce more energy than the orchard consumes.
Gold for health
The crop has a thousand-year history and has always been valued for its taste and unique composition. The fruit is considered "gold" thanks to its high nutritional value. It is a product of conscious consumption. It fits perfectly within the framework of proper nutrition. It shapes an attitude to food as a value rather than empty calories.
Contribution to the future
Perennial plantings help preserve the ecosystem of the region.
A hazelnut orchard bears fruit for over 50 years.
Demand for nutritious nuts and superfoods is constantly growing.
Our nuts travel from the orchards of the Kyiv region to store shelves all over the world.
In the face of climate change we are building a foundation for the future of European agriculture.
Career
We are building a team where you can grow professionally, gain new experience and see the result of your work.
We work in modern nut horticulture and use advanced orchard care technologies. Professionalism, responsibility, mutual respect and a desire to grow are important to us.
Our team brings together specialists from various fields. Everyone is responsible for their own area of work and contributes to the shared result.
For students
We invite students for practical training and internships. This is a chance to get to know the work of a nut farm, see the production processes and gain practical experience.
We are open to young specialists who want to grow in the agricultural sector and find their direction in the profession.
Would you like to join us for practical training? Send a motivation letter — tell us about yourself, your field of study and why nut horticulture interests you.
Join the team
We are looking for specialists who want to work and grow together with us.
Agronomists, gardeners, machine operators, engineers, technologists, quality, logistics and finance specialists, chemists, hydraulic engineers and other fields.
If you have not found a suitable vacancy but want to work with us, send your CV — we will consider your application.
Current vacancies
Job description
- Organizing and monitoring the technological process of hazelnut cultivation.
- Planning and carrying out seasonal work in the nut orchard.
- Monitoring the condition of the plants, their development and productivity.
- Organizing work on plant nutrition, protection, irrigation and orchard care.
- Monitoring the appearance of pests and diseases and organizing the necessary protective measures.
- Controlling the quality and timeliness of the work performed.
- Interacting with orchard workers and coordinating the work of technical staff.
- Participating in planning and organizing the harvest.
- Maintaining the necessary documentation and records of the work performed.
- Controlling the use of materials, plant protection products and fertilizers.
Candidate requirements
- Specialized higher education in "Agronomy", "Horticulture" or "Plant Protection".
- Experience working as an agronomist in horticulture will be an advantage.
- Knowledge of the basics of growing nut crops and orchard care technologies.
- Understanding of plant nutrition, irrigation and protection technologies.
- Category "B" driver's license.
- Responsibility and attention to detail.
- Ability to organize work and interact with a team.
- Willingness to work in the orchard and to be involved in seasonal work.
Working conditions
- Full-time employment, stable salary (by agreement).
- Work in a modern nut farm.
- Opportunities for professional development and advanced training.
- Comfortable working conditions and support from management.
- Reservation from mobilization.
Job description
- Performing mechanized work in the nut orchard.
- Operating tractors and agricultural machinery.
- Performing work in accordance with technological requirements and the agronomist's tasks.
- Preparing machinery for work and checking its technical condition.
- Performing orchard care work: soil cultivation, fertilizer application, plant protection and other seasonal work.
- Monitoring the operation of implements while performing tasks.
- Complying with equipment operating rules and safety requirements.
- Conducting daily inspection of machinery and reporting malfunctions.
- Participating in seasonal work and the harvest.
Candidate requirements
- Experience working as a machine operator in agriculture.
- Experience working with tractors and trailed agricultural machinery.
- Knowledge of the rules for operating and servicing agricultural machinery.
- Tractor-operator's license of the appropriate category.
- Responsibility and attentiveness at work.
- Compliance with labor protection and safety rules.
- Readiness for seasonal workload.
Working conditions
- Full-time employment, stable salary (by agreement).
- Work in a nut farm.
- Modern agricultural machinery.
- Opportunities for professional development and advanced training.
- Comfortable working conditions and support from management.
- Reservation from mobilization.
Job description
- Performing the full range of mechanized operations to maintain the hazelnut orchard in accordance with the technological chart and agrotechnical deadlines.
- Tillage of inter-rows and tree strips: cultivation, disking, harrowing, mulching and mowing of grass cover.
- Mechanized application of mineral and organic fertilizers and plant protection products (spraying with an orchard air-blast sprayer).
- Operating mounted and trailed equipment: mulcher, mower, sprayer, fertilizer spreader, rotary tiller, trailer and nut-harvesting machine.
- Participation in the mechanized harvesting of hazelnuts and transporting the produce to storage and drying facilities.
- Transport operations within the farm: hauling fertilizers, containers and working materials.
- Daily technical inspection, carrying out maintenance, lubrication, minor repairs and adjustment of machinery and units.
- Monitoring fuel and lubricant consumption and keeping records of completed work and route documents.
- Compliance with labour-protection, safety and fire-safety rules while operating machinery.
Candidate requirements
- Tractor operator-machinist licence of the relevant categories (A1, A2, B); a driving licence of category B, C is an advantage.
- At least 2 years of experience operating a tractor; experience in horticulture or on perennial plantations is an advantage.
- Knowledge of the design, operating principles and rules of use of tractors and mounted equipment.
- Practical skills in setting up a sprayer, fertilizer spreader and mulcher.
- Ability to work carefully between the rows without damaging trees, drip-irrigation systems and trellises.
- Skills in independently detecting and fixing minor equipment faults.
- Responsibility, discipline and readiness for intensive work during peak periods of the season.
Working conditions
- Full-time employment.
- Competitive salary (UAH 20,000).
- Official employment and social guarantees.
- Work with the farm's modern machinery.
- Comfortable working conditions and support from management.
Job description
- Organizing, setting up and monitoring the uninterrupted operation of the hazelnut orchard's drip-irrigation system.
- Calculating irrigation and water-consumption rates and monitoring the uniformity of water supply across the orchard sections.
- Organizing fertigation: calculating doses, preparing solutions and controlling fertilizer application through the irrigation system together with the agronomist.
- Maintaining the filter station, fertilizer-injection units, main pipelines, valves and drip lines; flushing the system and acid flushing.
- Promptly detecting and eliminating ruptures, dripper clogging, leaks and pressure deviations in the system.
- Setting up and maintaining irrigation automation: controllers, solenoid valves, pressure and moisture sensors.
- Preparing the system for the irrigation season and winterizing it for the cold period.
- Planning the need for consumables and components and liaising with suppliers and contractors.
- Keeping technical documentation and water-consumption records and preparing reports.
Candidate requirements
- Higher education (hydro-reclamation, water resources, agricultural engineering, agronomy or related fields).
- At least 2 years of experience with drip-irrigation systems; experience on perennial plantations is an advantage.
- Knowledge of hydraulics fundamentals, the ability to perform hydraulic calculations and to read irrigation-system diagrams.
- Practical skills working with filter stations, pumping equipment, fertigation units and shut-off valves.
- Understanding of fertigation principles and fertilizer compatibility in irrigation water.
- Skills in configuring irrigation-automation systems; confident PC user.
- A category B driving licence.
- Analytical thinking, independence and the ability to make quick decisions in non-standard situations.
Working conditions
- Full-time employment.
- Competitive salary (UAH 20,000).
- Official employment and social guarantees.
- Opportunities for professional development, training and skills improvement.
- Comfortable working conditions and support from management.
Job description
- Ensuring the uninterrupted and trouble-free operation of the pumping station of the orchard's irrigation system.
- Starting, stopping and switching pump units in accordance with the irrigation schedule and the instructions of the irrigation system engineer.
- Monitoring the equipment's operating parameters: pressure, water flow, water level at the source, voltage and current of the electric motors, bearing temperature and vibration level.
- Overseeing the operation of the filter station, timely flushing of the filters and monitoring the pressure drop.
- Carrying out maintenance of pumps, electric motors and shut-off valves; lubrication and elimination of minor faults.
- Keeping the station's shift log and records of instrument readings.
- Promptly responding to emergencies, stopping equipment and informing management.
- Keeping the pumping-station premises clean and tidy and complying with labour, electrical and fire-safety rules.
Candidate requirements
- Secondary technical or vocational education (mechanics, electromechanics, water supply, power engineering).
- At least 1 year of experience as a pumping-station operator or on similar equipment.
- Knowledge of the design and operating principles of centrifugal pumps, electric motors, shut-off valves, filters and instrumentation.
- An electrical-safety clearance group (II–III) is an advantage.
- Skills in reading hydraulic and electrical diagrams and keeping technical documentation.
- Readiness to work shifts during the irrigation season.
- Attentiveness, responsibility, discipline and stress resistance.
Working conditions
- Full-time employment.
- Competitive salary (UAH 20,000).
- Official employment and social guarantees.
- Shift work during the irrigation season in compliance with rest standards.
- Comfortable working conditions and support from management.
Job description
- Performing a range of manual operations to maintain the hazelnut plantations throughout the season.
- Sanitary and formative pruning of bushes and trees, removing root suckers and excess shoots, carrying away and shredding pruned branches.
- Weeding, loosening and mulching of tree circles and weed control.
- Laying, repairing and checking drip tape and pipelines and visually monitoring irrigation operation while walking the plots.
- Manual fertilizer application, tying up plants, installing and repairing supports, protective nets and fencing.
- Participation in the hazelnut harvest: gathering, sorting, cleaning, packing, loading and unloading the produce.
- Auxiliary work at the finished-produce warehouse.
- Cleaning and keeping order on the orchard grounds and at the workplaces.
- Compliance with labour-protection and safety rules and the requirements of plantation-care technology.
Candidate requirements
- Work experience is not required — training and on-site instruction are provided.
- Experience in horticulture or in field or seasonal agricultural work is an advantage.
- Physical stamina and readiness to work outdoors in various weather conditions.
- Neatness and a careful attitude towards the plantations and the irrigation systems.
- Responsibility, punctuality, the ability to work in a team and to carry out assigned tasks.
- No medical contraindications to physical labour.
Working conditions
- Seasonal or permanent employment (by agreement).
- Competitive salary (UAH 844 per 9 hours).
- Official employment and social guarantees.
- Timely payment of wages; opportunity for additional earnings during the harvest period.
- Organized transport to the workplace.
