Macadamias… a growing industry

Macadamias have of late become a buzzword in South Africa’s agriculture industry as market prices soar amid increasing demand. Growth experts of Green Farms Nut Company (GNFC) discussed the new kid on the farming block at Dave Kinsey’s private airfield in Munster on Tuesday this week.

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CEO of GNFC, Jill Whyte, said that the global macadamia industry is worth $822-million (over R9-billion) and, since South Africa is the largest producer and exporter of the nut, the country is in a prime position to capitalise on the popularity of the crop. “High prices are, however, not always sustainable and the global industry is in agreement that much will have to be done to develop this relatively new industry to ensure that demand matches the exponential increase in supply,” explained Mrs Whyte.

She added that the local industry is predominantly spread over three provinces, Mpumalanga, (49 percent ), Limpopo (21 percent) and KZN (20 percent). Limited planting has taken place in the Eastern and Western Cape as the climate is not ideal there.

“It is predicted that in 2018 South Africa will produce a bumper crop of 54 000 tons, up approximately 21 percent from last year. South Africa is in the top spot in terms of global macadamia nut production, with Australia following closely behind with 43 000 tons.”

Last year the total global macadamia crop reached over 200 000 tons. But, with the rapid uptake of macadamia farming, this figure is expected to reach 500 000 tons by 2020.

The Southern African Macadamia Growers’ Association (SAMAC) reports that South Africa alone has tripled plantings as during the last four years from 1 250 hectares in 2013 to 3 870 hectares in 2016.

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