Australian macadamia growers and industry stakeholders will benefit from a renewed research initiative designed to deliver both annual and long-term crop forecasts to support strategic planning, risk management, and sustainable industry growth.
Co-funded by Hort Innovation and led by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries (QDPI), the Macadamia Crop Forecasting Project (MC24009) will provide climate-adjusted crop forecasts for the 2026, 2027, and 2028 seasons, along with long-term projections extending up to 10 years. The forecasts aim to maintain market confidence, support price stability, and assist with scheduling of processing and infrastructure as the industry continues to expand.
© Hort Innovation
Hort Innovation CEO Brett Fifield said the project will offer practical benefits for growers and the broader industry.
"With more accurate forecasts, growers can make informed decisions about harvest timing, resource use, and marketing. This means they can better manage risks, respond to changing conditions, and ultimately strengthen their businesses and the industry as a whole," he said.
Over the next three years, the project team will work closely with macadamia growers to identify additional variables that could improve forecast accuracy and support model development and validation. This collaboration is intended to ensure the model reflects real industry conditions and continues to provide value to the sector.
The project builds on more than 25 years of macadamia crop forecasting and will deliver an improved forecasting model and operating manual to ensure accuracy and continuity in the future, supporting long-term industry planning.
Principal Biometrician David Mayer, who leads the project at QDPI, said: "Our team is focused on delivering forecasts growers can trust. By combining decades of experience with industry collaboration and the development of data science methods, we're helping growers plan ahead, adapt to seasonal challenges, and make the most of every opportunity."
The project is funded by Hort Innovation, using the macadamia research and development levy, with contributions from the Australian Government and the Queensland Government.
© Hort InnovationFor more information:
Shannon O'Mara
Hort Innovation
Tel: +61 (0) 427 142 537
Email: [email protected]
www.horticulture.com.au
