Bundaberg is poised to become the largest macadamia growing region by the end of the year.
In it’s third crop forecast for 2016, the Australian Macadamia Society (AMS) revealed the Bundaberg region will produce more than 40 per cent of Australia’s total macadamia volume this year, making it Australia’s largest macadamia producing region, just in front of the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales.
“Production in the Bundaberg region has increased by 10-20 per cent this year, a direct result of new plantings coming into production and good growing conditions,” said AMS chief executive Jolyon Burnett. “It’s in this region and its surrounds that we are seeing the most number of new investments and plantings.”
The 2016 Australian macadamia crop is on track to reach 46,750 tonnes in-shell at 3.5 per cent moisture. Kernel availability is expected to be around 10,200 tonnes (similar to 2015), with NIS exports remaining stable at around 30 per cent of the crop.
“The Australian macadamia industry has a good geographical spread across a number of key growing regions, making it a steady, reliable source of high quality kernel and in-shell to world markets,” added Burnett.
“Our industry continues to show strong support for the kernel markets worldwide. At the same time, we strive to achieve a good balance between supplying these markets and meeting demand for in-shell.”
The 2016 Australian macadamia harvest is now almost complete, with growers already preparing for the 2017 crop. The final figure for the 2016 crop will be announced by AMS in late November 2016.
