Green Farms Nut Company (GFNC) has undertaken to build South Africa’s biggest macadamia nut processing facility with phase one of two set for completion in 2018. The project, which is already underway at the existing factory in White River, demonstrates the company’s commitment to the industry and underpins its strategy to ensure that macadamia nuts remain a sustainable and profitable business for the future.
According to the Southern African Macadamia Growers Association (SAMAC), new macadamia tree plantings in South Africa have tripled in the last four years from 1250 hectares in 2013 to 3870 hectares in 2016, with an almost doubling of plantings between 2015 and 2016 from 2000 hectares to 3870. Currently there are 28 000 hectares of established macadamia orchards with the largest growing region being in Mpumalanga followed by Limpopo and Kwazulu Natal.
“We are invested for the long run. We will cultivate our business alongside growth in the crop: based on historic and ongoing exponential plantings our view is that it is imperative to increase processing capacity to ensure long term viability for the industry and our farmers.” said Alex Whyte, general manager, GFNC.
“Industry figures project a 40% increase of nut in-shell from 38 500 tonnes in 2016 to 64 800 tonnes in 2020. To absorb this astronomic supply increase, our approach rests on three key pillars: processing capacity, sophisticated product marketing and value add, all of which are inextricably linked to being able to sell at currently buoyant prices in future,” continued Whyte.
The project, which will deliver South Africa’s largest single processing facility, is outlined over two phases. The first phase is planned for completion for the start of the 2018 season in February next year. Key aspects include:
- Factory size increased by an additional 7000 square metres from current 3000 square metres to 10 000 square metres
- 40% increase in processing capacity from 5 500 tonnes to 8 000 tonnes dry nut in-shell
- Additional 250 tonnes drying bin storage capability, to total 800 tonnes. All in-shell and kernel nuts go through a drying process
- State of the art optic sorters that will drive efficiency through increased processing speed and ensure processing fees are kept to a minimum
- Latest technology in sterilisation techniques. All kernel needs to go through a sterilisation process to meet stringent food safety demands
- Reduced water usage through improved technology and electricity cost saving by burning macadamia nut shell by product to dry in-shell and kernel nuts
Completion of phase two of the project is estimated for 2020, with key components including total processing capacity upwards of 15 000 tonnes dry nut in-shell, further technology and equipment upgrades as well as increased storage and warehousing.
For more information:
Annelle Botha
Tel: +27 071 163 8719