Australian macadamia crop on track for 41,000 tonnes in-shell
“Favourable conditions throughout the growing season and during harvest combined with improved yields on-farm have resulted in an increase in the forecast from 40,000 tonnes to 41,000 tonnes at 10% moisture,” said AMS CEO Jolyon Burnett.
“Recent wet weather in SE Queensland and the Northern Rivers may delay some final harvest rounds but is not expected to adversely affect kernel quality.”
It is estimated that there will be a slight increase in nut in-shell shipments to China, up from 10,000 to 11,000 tonnes. This is a significant increase from the estimated 5,000 tonnes in 2013.
Consequently, the available kernel is expected to remain around 8,650 tonnes in 2014.
The 2013 Australian macadamia crop totalled 35,200 tonnes in-shell (with available kernel of 8,400 tonnes).
The industry forecast is provided from modelling developed over seven years by the AMS and the Queensland Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry. The AMS has added historical and intake data provided by the Australian Macadamia Handlers (AMHA) to assist in the forecasting. The AMHA represent over 90% of total Australian production.
The AMS will provide a final figure for the crop in December once all factory receipts are in and collated.
For more information:
Jolyon Burnett
Australian Macadamia Society
Tel: +61 2 6622 4933
Email: jolyon.burnett@macadamias.org
www.australian-macadamias.org/industry