Foreign demand for Australian macadmia continues its rise

Australian macadamia nuts are experiencing rapid growth riding on the rising demand from China, Japa…

Australian macadamia nuts are experiencing rapid growth riding on the rising demand from China, Japan and Korea which is fuelling industry expansion, investor excitement and soaring grower profits.

With a bumper harvest now ­delivering a record 54,000 tonnes of macadamia nuts in the key growing region from Ballina in northern NSW to Bundaberg in Queensland, the once-boutique industry has swelled from producing less than $100 million of nuts in 2012 to $280m this year.

Macadamia prices of up to $5.50 per kilo of raw nuts — double the prices paid to farmers three years ago — are seeing new investors, including Chinese players, snap up established orchards for as much as $70,000 a hectare.