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Macadamias: much better than expected

December 9, 2024 at 10:53 AM , Der AUDITOR
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BRISBANE. With harvesting finally complete the Australian Macadamia Society (AMS) has issued new estimates for the 2024 crop. They are much better than expected.

12% increase in production

Australia’s macadamia crop is better than anticipated. While the July estimate was downgraded to 50,830 mt in-shell at 3.5% moisture (54,500 mt in-shell at 10% moisture) due to adverse weather conditions, the current estimate stands at 53,950 mt in-shell at 3.5% moisture (57,850 mt in-shell at 10% moisture). Although this still falls short of the initial estimate of 56,000 mt in-shell at 3.5% moisture (60,000 mt in-shell at 10% moisture), this year’s production has increased by 12% on 2023.

CEO Clare Hamilton Bates highlights that the season surpassed expectations despite challenging conditions as “the 2024 season brought prolonged heat and extended wet weather. Nonetheless, harvest continued into November for some, resulting in a longer-than-usual season.” She further emphasises improvements in kernel recovery and nut size, a good overall quality along with a sharp increase in the volumes cracked, which has driven up the quantity of available kernels.

Excellent prospects for 2025

Prospects for the 2025 crop are also highly encouraging as most regions are reporting favourable growing conditions. As Bates observes, “parts of South East Queensland and Northern NSW have experienced mixed conditions with high temperatures and wet weather, but overall flowering and nut set have been good.” Expectation is also that many young trees will “come into bearing next year which will have a positive effect on the crop.” Yet, it should be noted that it is still too early to tell what the outcome will be.

 

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