- Australia holds the only natural germplasm resources for macadamias, and has spent over $4 million over the last ten years on a comprehensive breeding program. Early indications are that yield increases of 30% are possible from new varieties.
- The Australian macadamia industry is still growing. The fastest growing region is Bundaberg, QLD, where larger farms are being planted and where production is expected to increase by 40% by 2020.
- New plantings have seen almost 400,000 trees established in the last five years. There are currently around 6 million macadamia trees under cultivation; about a third of these are yet to reach full production.
- The industry is actively looking at new growing regions around Mackay and Emerald in Queensland, where there have been plantings recently.
- By 2020 about 20,000ha will be planted with kernel production greater than 16,000t. Export value will exceed $165 million.
- Consumer demand exceeds supply. Consumption is increasing as a result of increased interest in healthy foods and an increase in awareness of health benefits of eating tree nuts.
- The biggest growth in demand is coming from Asia, where consumers are adopting western foods and consumption patterns (snacking, eating on the go etc.). They are also moving from traditional snacks to new product forms including salted, roasted and flavoured nuts.
- The industry has a strong representative body, the Australian Macadamia Society, which is driving further development and supporting its growers in providing technical advice and funding research and marketing.
- The industry has a strong financial commitment to domestic and export market development and farm research funded by a compulsory grower levy on production. The industry spends about $2 million annually each on research and development and marketing.
- Macadamias currently represent around 1% of the world trade in tree nuts. As awareness and production increases the Australian Macadamia Society predicts significant growth in the industry.
- For more information, visit the Australian Macadamia Society website www.australian-macadamias.org or the Australian Nut Industry Council website www.nutindustry.org.au.
