Major growing regions, including Nambucca, avoided major losses as a result of cyclone Marcia.

“Our growers have invested significant time and resources into this crop, and have begun the long harvest season with optimism,” Australian Macadamia Society chief executive officer Jolyon Burnett said.

The 2015 crop has been estimated at 47,000 tonnes in-shell at 10 per cent moisture (43,800 tonnes in-shell at 3.5 per cent moisture) by the peak industry body.

This is compared to 43,600 tonnes in-shell at 10 per cent moisture (40,600 tonnes in shell at 3.5 per cent moisture) produced by the Australian industry in 2014 and 35,200 tonnes in-shell at 10 per cent moisture (32,800 tonnes in-shell at 3.5 per cent moisture) in 2013. 

The AMS will transition crop reporting from 10 per cent to 3.5 per cent weights to better align with the moisture content at which the crop is traded.

“There is strong global demand for both kernel and in-shell and it’s predicted that in-shell sales to China will continue to increase with total demand from China expected to rise strongly,” he said.

“While strong Chinese demand for in-shell is expected to impact on the volume of kernel available, the Australian industry is seeking to maintain a good balance of in-shell and kernel.

“The Australian industry is keen to continue to support the kernel market, and expects demand from traditional kernel markets to remain strong and new, emerging markets like Korea and Taiwan to continue to grow.

“The crop is looking solid in all major growing regions, there was a very good nut-set and it appears we will return to a more normal drop pattern this year.”

The Australian macadamia harvest starts in February/March, and continues for up to six months, with the last nuts collected from orchard floors in August/September.