Global macadamia production increases as exports to China soar

Industry data recently released by the World Macadamia Organisation indicate a substantial increase in global production in 2024, with the output of all of the top macadamia-producing countries forecast to grow by more than 10%. Despite declines in Australia, Kenya and Guatemala, the overall global production of macadamia nuts increased from 298,914 metric tons in 2022 to 319,306 metric tons in 2023. In spite of a decrease in China’s domestic macadamia nut production from 62,500 metric tons in 2022 to 56,000 metric tons in 2023, the country’s imports of macadamia nuts, particularly from Kenya, have experienced rapid growth. Data from Chinese customs authorities illustrate this trend. In 2021, China imported approximately 100 metric tons of macadamia kernels from Kenya, valued at 1.65 million Chinese yuan ($228,000), along with 248 metric tons of in-shell macadamia nuts worth 17.45 million yuan ($2.41 million). In 2022, these imports surged to 949 metric tons of macadamia kernels ...