Ballito hosts 9th International Macadamia Symposium

The macadamia industry is grappling with a notable decline in exports caused by a range of global challenges such as China’s extended Covid-19 lockdown.

This was revealed at the 9th International Macadamia Symposium hosted at the Capital Zimbali Hotel this week, the first time it has come to Ballito and first in South Africa since 2015.

It speaks to a growing shift in North Coast agriculture as farmers have increasingly sought to diversify their crop to meet international demand.

More than 700 South African and international delegates are attending the symposium between Tuesday and Thursday, relishing the opportunity to share expertise and the newest trends in agricultural technologies.

South Africa is the world’s largest macadamia producer and is a global leader in processing and marketing of the nut.

Nevertheless, as pointed out by Macadamias South Africa (SAMAC) CEO, Lizel Pretorius, there have been widespread obstacles to export in recent years.

“China, one of our major export markets for nuts and shells, was on full lockdown for three years and the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war has further complicated matters,” said Pretorius.

Pretorius said that before the onset of Covid-19 – and later the conflict – South Africa had been increasing its macadamia production by around 6 000 hectares annually.

As a result of the aforementioned setbacks however, macadamias had been in a state of decline since then.

“It is worth noting that about 42% of our crop is not in production yet, so there is hope that South Africa is slowly recovering. It is challenging to forecast the industry over the next few years, but we are hopeful of a return to consistent growth,” she said.

Further challenges hampering growth in the industry are the significant financial barriers to entry for prospective macadamia farmers, said Kesari Moodley of Farmers Agri-Care in KwaDukuza.

“Transitioning a hectare of farmland from sugarcane to macadamias would cost at least R400 000 in establishment costs. This is often unaffordable for new farmers hoping to break into the industry,” said Moodley.

But the overall tone of the symposium was positive, with a host of international experts sharing insights and similar challenges they had faced in their home countries during informative presentations and panel discussions.

Clare Hamilton Bate, CEO of the Australia Macadamia Society; Chen Yuxiu, chairperson of the Yunan Macadamia Society; Jose Eduardo Mendes Camargo from the Brazil Macadamia Society and Charles Muigai of the Kenya Nut Company were all among the panelists on Tuesday.

A series of further presenters were slated for today (Wednesday), capping days of insights and the opportunity to network with likeminded agricultural specialists from around the world.

Also present at the symposium was a trade fair, set up to exhibit South African products with the hope of creating new export opportunities.

To find out more about the symposium and the South African macadamia industry at large, visit ims.samac.org.za.

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