SA macadamia crop to double within next decade
Despite challenges such as US tariffs, South Africa is positioning itself even more strongly as the world's leading macadamia producer, according to Alex Whyte, director of the Green Farms Nut Company.
Despite recent market volatility and price pressures, South Africa's macadamia nut industry is on track to double its production over the next decade, positioning itself even more strongly as the world's leading producer of the high-value nut, Farmer's Weekly reports.
This is according to Alex Whyte, director of the Green Farms Nut Company. The company was South Africa's first privately owned processing facility and has over 40 years of macadamia industry experience.
Whyte told Farmer's Weekly the long-term outlook remains strong despite recent setbacks:
'The low prices experienced between 2022 and 2024 have slowed down the crop growth somewhat. We have seen some farmers remove orchards and also reduce inputs, which has reduced the yield.
'The industry might be coming in slightly under the forecast of 95 500t for 2025. That figure was done in March, and macadamias are notoriously difficult to predict. But we should still be somewhere between 90 000t and 94 000t.
'We are, however, still more likely to see the crop doubling over the next 10 years.'
Figures from the International Nut Council show South Africa is by far the largest producer globally of macadamia nuts:
South Africa 89 200t (2024), 95 500t (2025)
China 69 500t (2024), 74 500t (2025)
Australia 53 950t (2024), 56 890t (2025)
Kenya 44 000t (2024), 47 500t (2025)
USA 15 000t (2024), 15 500t (2025)
There are between 1 300 and 1 500 macadamia nut farmers in South Africa, with the average-sized macadamia farm being around 50ha.
The main growing regions are northeast Limpopo, eastern Mpumalanga (the largest), the coastal region of KwaZulu-Natal and George in the Western Cape.
95% of local macadamias for export
While there has been a steady increase in domestic demand, South Africa currently exports around 95% of its macadamia nut production, said Whyte.
'Traditionally, China has taken approximately 50% of the crop, with the US about 25%, Europe 15% and the rest made up of the rest of Asia, the Middle East, Canada and South America.
'The proposed new tariffs from the US have had a negative impact but it seems it was mainly as a result of the uncertainty surrounding it. The fact is the US does not produce enough macadamias of their own and they will need to import some volume from the rest of the world, including South Africa.'
Whyte said the macadamia nut industry in South Africa is still young and there is room for even more growth and innovation.
'There is a lot of work still to be done on horticultural practices but also to improve the processing at factory level and market development. Consumer awareness is still very low as we don't have the huge budgets some of the other tree nuts have. However, the industry has made great strides, with South African factories being considered world class.
'Apart from the raw nut, there are various other derivatives. Macadamia oil is a wonderful product that is increasing in popularity. We have also started making high-quality eco-wood from crushed macadamia shells. Macadamia kernel is a fantastic ingredient in baked goods, ice cream and confectionery. Macadamias are truly a South African success story.'
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