With approximately 80 per cent of the national crop harvested, Australian macadamia production is tipped to reach 46,750 tonnes in-shell (at 3.5 per cent moisture) this season.
According to the Australian Macadamia Society’s (AMS) second forecast for the year, long periods of dry weather in the majority of growing regions has resulted in ideal harvest conditions for most growers, with deliveries to processors proceeding ahead of schedule.
AMS chief executive Jolyon Burnett said production in the Bundaberg growing region had increased by between 10-20 per cent this year, with South East Queensland and Nambucca in NSW also showing gains.
“Bundaberg production has increased as a result of new plantings coming into production and good growing conditions,” Burnett explained. “Northern Rivers is slightly down as a result of wet weather during flowering which impacted pollination and subsequent production.”
The crop forecast represents a 4 per cent increase in production from 2015, which saw 45,100 tonnes harvested in-shell (at 3.5 per cent moisture).
Burnett said global demand for both kernel and in-shell remains strong, and predicts continued steady growth in all markets, especially Asia.
AMS will provide a further crop report in August, with the final figure for the 2016 season to be announced in late November 2016.
