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Macadamias: Cyclone damage less than feared

March 26, 2025 at 12:55 PM , Der AUDITOR
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CANBERRA. Although Cyclone Alfred has hit the growing areas in New South Wales, the impact on overall Australian production has been less than feared. EU imports are declining sharply.

Harvest in Queensland is progressing

As expected, the Australian Macadamia Society (AMS) has revised its estimate for this year's macadamia crop downwards. Some growing areas were hit by Cyclone Alfred on 8 and 9 March, causing significant damage. AMS chief executive Clare Hamilton-Bate said it was a particularly difficult time for growers in northern New South Wales as they were still busy cleaning up their plantations and assessing the damage. In Queensland, however, the harvest is progressing as planned and with 70% of Australia's macadamias harvested here, the impact on overall production is fortunately limited. In addition, farmers from Bundaberg, the most important growing region in Queensland, are reporting good quality in this year's nuts.

Next update in September

“Many growers in New South Wales experienced damaging winds and heavy rainfall, resulting in orchard damage and associated crop loss,” said Hamilton-Bate. “This will delay harvest in some areas, but it is not expected to have a significant effect on the Australian industry’s overall supply.” Crop estimates, which at the start of the month were 56,890 mt of in-shell macadamias with a moisture content of 3.5%, now stand at 55,960 mt. The next update of the AMS crop forecast is expected in September.

EU macadamia imports, in mt

Supplier

2024

2025

Diff.

South Africa

753

880

16.9%

Australia

166

140

-15.7%

Kenya

481

102

-78.8%

Guatemala

0,001

55

5,499,900.0%

Vietnam

24

49

104.2%

Others

118

9

-92.4%

Total

1,542

1,235

-19.9%

DG AGRI TAXUD Customs Surveillance System, 01/01-23/03

08026200 Fresh or dried macadamia nuts, shelled

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