Local nut company’s contribution internationally recognised
South Africa has regained its crown as the world’s largest producer of macadamia nuts.
Green Farms Nut Company (GFNC) recently attended this year’s annual International Nut Council (INC) in Seville, Spain.
The INC conference is the world’s largest gathering of stakeholders in the nut industry and this year the discussion around expanding growth of macadamia supply into the global market was more prominent than ever before.
As a leading macadamia processor, GFNC understands the needs of customers around the globe and it remains top of its agenda to ensure it continues to deliver the best prices possible to growers.
The INC conference presents an unparalleled platform for them to do so. “The continued growth of the consumer trend (and understanding of the health and environmental benefits) in consumption of plant-based proteins has once more been emphasised,” said GFNC general manager, Alex Whyte. “We’ve observed this topic hotly debated at most other food and ingredients events we attend around the world. This is especially relevant in ensuring the industry leverages this trend to absorb the astronomic increase in supply.”
South Africa has regained its crown as the world’s largest producer of macadamia nuts, contributing just 25 per cent (54 000 metric tons) to the global crop (210 101 metric tons). Currently 70 to 80 per cent of macadamias are consumed as a snack with 20 to 30 per cent being used as an ingredient.
To maintain the past year’s lucrative prices to growers, developing the ingredient sector is imperative. “Our customers, dominant players in the food industry, are crying out to use macadamias as an ingredient. However, it is up to the industry to make the opportunity tangible through investing in innovation to deliver the macadamia value proposition.
Relative to other nuts, the macadamia industry is small, and collaboration in challenging convention around how nuts can be used as an ingredient is more important than ever,” said Whyte. “We are excited for the future for our business and the macadamia nut industry at large.
The INC has been instrumental in the improved understanding of nuts and their benefits. This goes hand in hand with its professionalism and tireless campaigning,” Whyte concluded.
