Macadamia Production To Continue Strong Growth

South Africa is currently the world leader in macadamia production, but with the industry still experiencing buoyant growth, countries such as Australia, China and Kenya are fast gaining ground.

- Karabo Takadi

The world’s macadamia production is expected to increase by just over 12% during 2018 to reach an estimated 209 601t nut-in-shell (NIS). This is a continuation of the upward trend that started in 2012. The growth is due, in part, to new plantings coming into production in a number of countries.

With the rapid uptake of macadamia farming, the annual production figure is expected to reach 500 000t by 2020.

South Africa is the world leader in macadamia production (52 412t NIS), followed closely by Australia (47 500t NIS). But there is growing competition in the export market from Australia, Kenya and China due to increased production expansion.

Established growing regions continue to increase their plantings, and emerging regions, particularly China, feature heavily in production forecasts. The area planted to macadamia nuts in that country is currently estimated at 160 000ha, and continues expanding.

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