AUSTRALIAN MACADAMIA SOCIETY
BOOMING ASIAN DEMAND , high prices and new investment opportunities mean substantial growth potential for the relatively young Australian macadamia industry .
Australian macadamia nuts enjoy a first-class reputation ( taste and quality ) all over the world , thanks to a dedicated group of innovative growers , world-class farming practices , commitment to clean , green production and a multi-million dollar research and development program that has delivered some of the world ’ s leading technology and pioneering scientific breakthroughs .
Australia - the birthplace of macadamias - leads the world in macadamia production and export , accounting for more than 30 % of the world ’ s crop . In 2014 , around 750 growers will produce 40,000 tonnes of Australian macadamias , of which 70 per cent ($ 120-130 million worth ) will be exported to more than 40 countries .
Growing regions are found in the sub tropical climates of northern NSW and southern and central Queensland , and smaller plantations in Western Australia , while new regions are now opening up ( to cater for growing demand ) in the northern Queensland areas of Mackay and Emerald .
The growing Asian appetite for macadamia nuts is being driven by not only China and Japan ( the two largest export countries ), but by relatively new markets like Korea and Taiwan , where consumers are beginning to associate macadamias with health , beauty and wellbeing .
The peak industry body is the Australian Macadamia Society ( AMS ) which is charged with driving the industry ’ s cuttingedge research and development , marketing and strategic investment .
The AMS marketing program is geared up to take advantage of increasing global demand , launching a major promotional campaign in Korea in 2013 , and coordinating a blogger event in 2014 ( where five Korean bloggers shared their Aussie macadamia experience with 2 million Koreans ). A comprehensive social media campaign also helped 1.9
184 August 2014