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Macadamias: production estimates slashed for Australia

August 2, 2021 at 4:24 PM , Der AUDITOR
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REUS/PRETORIA. While the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC) still reckoned that Australia would become the world's leading producer for macadamias in March, things have changed now. Issue is that adverse weather conditions have impacted production here. Global production estimates have also been revised downwards.

South Africa remains top producer

The INC has recently revised production estimates for some countries. While Australia was still expected to replace South Africa as leading producer in March, this is no longer the case. Production in South Africa is now rather expected to jump by 18% to 57,834 mt, meaning that the country will remain the most important supplier in the global market. The INC, thereby, quotes estimates issued by Macadamias South Africa. Autumn rains helped the trees to recover from the droughts observed in recent years.

Good quality in Australia

Although adverse weather conditions in New South Wales prompted to INC to cut production estimates for Australia from 50,770 mt in March to 48,500 mt in July, production is nevertheless expected to range 3.4% higher than last year. The quality is, however, reported to be excellent. Adverse weather conditions have also impacted production in Kenya. As prolonged rainfall delayed flowering the nuts were not able to develop equally well and losses were incurred. Production is, by contrast, expected to range 5% higher in China at 32,000 mt. Global production is estimated 5.4% higher than last year at 239,034 mt. In March the INC anticipated a rise of 6.4%.

Macadamia production, in-shell basis, in mt

Country

2020

2021

Diff.

South Africa

48,925

57,834

18.2%

Australia

46,900

48,500

3.4%

Kenya

37,000

33,300

-10.0%

China

30,400

32,000

5.3%

Guatemala

14,200

16,000

12.7%

USA

15,300

15,000

-2.0%

Malawi

6,000

6,900

15.0%

Vietnam

5,300

6,700

26.4%

Brazil

5,500

5,500

0.0%

Colombia

1,300

1,300

0.0%

Others

16,000

16,000

0.0%

Total

226,825

239,034

5.4%

INC, July 2021

Price declines in Europe

Prices have declined in Europe in recent weeks. Style 1 macadamias, without shell, are trading at EUR 19.15/kg FCA Spain. Styles 2 and 3 are trading at EUR 16.25/kg and EUR 15.25/kg respectively. Prices for style 4 macadamias range at EUR 14.20/kg FCA Spain.

Macadamia nuts, without shell, South Africa

Type

EUR/kg

Style 1

19.15

Style 2

16.25

Style 3

15.25

Style 4L

14.20

FCA Spain

 

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