SA is top nut grower
BIG: LOCAL MACADAMIA FARMERS WILL PRODUCE 54 000 TONS THIS YEAR
Increase in plantings to increase on a global scale and meet ‘insatiable demand’.
The 2018 world nut and dried fruit conference in Seville, Spain cultivated an exchange of global insights into the macadamia industry as well as the latest farming trends and global forecast for fruit and nuts.
Overall, reports signal a strong growth trajectory with the forecast for 2018 estimated at 211 101 metric tons worldwide – the highest global supply to date.
South Africa will be the biggest macadamia producer with 54 000 tons, followed by Australia and Kenya.
Valley Macadamias chairman Alan Sutton has fostered close alliances with industry experts and positioned the group for expansion in sub-Saharan Africa.
He is also looking ahead to future markets like India whilst continuing to service China, the US and Europe.
Representing the South African macadamia industry, Sutton shared feedback on the international nut and dried fruit council’s (INC) annual report and discussed key statistics on the growth and global supply of macadamias.
Production in China will be 19 000 tons in 2018 with a set growth of 10% per annum thereafter and the Australian crop forecast for 2018 is estimated at 44 500 tons at 1.5% moisture.
Australia currently exports 70% of their crop and is said to be developing an additional 3 500 hectares of macadamia trees in 2018.
“The increase in plantings on a global scale is set to continue and hopefully this will stabilise the supply for what is seemingly an insatiable demand worldwide,” Sutton said.
“The generic marketing currently undertaken by the INC is an example of our industry body hard at work to perform the expansion of our product.”
The Valley Macadamia Group is expanding capacities and market capabilities to cater for the exciting new trends.
The group will be joining the Australian macadamia society to gain key learnings on marketing for the benefit of African macadamia exports.