The Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), which took effect in late 2022, has facilitated a tariff-free status for over 85% of Australian goods exports to India. This figure is expected to rise to 90% by January next year. Australian macadamias, primarily cultivated in southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales, now have increased access to the Indian market.
The main export destinations for Australian macadamias include Japan, South Korea, China, Germany, and the United States, with shipments transported through the Port of Brisbane in either nut and shell form or pre-cracked kernels.
Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ) views India as "a promising new frontier," due to its expanding middle class and cultural affinity for nuts. TIQ noted, "With a growing middle class and a deep cultural appreciation for nuts, India is proving highly receptive to Australian macadamias." The AI-ECTA's reduced tariffs and enhanced technical access have positioned Queensland exporters advantageously for market expansion.
Queensland's commitment to orchard quality positions it to benefit from increasing global demand for macadamias. The Australian Macadamia Festival in Bengaluru aims to extend the nut's market appeal.
Collaborations among TIQ, the Australian Macadamia Society, and growers aim to optimize market access. Hort Innovation notes that approximately 800 macadamia growers in Australia produce about 50,000 tonnes annually, with 75% of the yield exported. This establishes a "strong and consistent supply for importers overseas," according to Hort Innovation.
Source: DCN