Australia’s growing macadamia industry
Australia’s 2016 macadamia crop is on track to reach 46, 750 tonnes in-shell says the Australian Macadamia Society (AMS).
According to the AMS, Australia’s macadamia production has steadily increased over the last three years, positioning Australia as the world’s largest supplier of macadamia kernels.
AMS Chief Executive Officer, Jolyn Burnett, says the global demand for macadamias is strong.
“The Australian macadamia industry has a good geographical spread across a number of key growing regions, making it a steady, reliable source of high quality kernel and in-shell to world markets,” said Burnett.
“Our industry continues to show strong support for the kernel markets worldwide. At the same time, we strive to achieve a good balance between supplying these markets and meeting demand for in-shell,” he stated.
Burnett said the Bundaberg region in Queensland is expected to become Australia’s largest macadamia growing region by the end of 2016, responsible for more than 40 per cent of the nation’s crops.
“Production in the Bundaberg region has increased by 10-20 per cent this year, a direct result of new plantings coming into production and good growing conditions. It’s in this region and its surrounds that we are seeing the most number of new investments and plantings,” Burnett said.
Interestingly, the AMS have released its positive forecast at the same time Domain is advertising a macadamia farm for sale in Gympie, Queensland, described by its selling agent as one of his agency’s most popular properties in a long time.
The AMS is also not resting on its laurels, recently conducting ‘boot camp’, inviting macadamia marketing delegates from overseas and within Australia to meet macadamia farmers to learn more about the product they are selling.
