Australia: Macadamia growers wait for fair crack at the farmgate

Suncoast Gold Macadamias general manager Julian Lancaster-Smith at their processing plant in Gympie. Picture by: Kelly Mason Australia has cracked the overseas macadamia market, but farmgate prices are stalling. According to research published in a Queensland government report this year titled 'US grants new access for Australian roasted macadamia nuts', macadamia nuts are now our third most valuable horticulture export, but the price isn't reflecting the value. Suncoast Gold Macadamias general manager Julian Lancaster-Smith said last year prices fell to "probably" the lowest on record. "The industry has forecast a slightly lower initial target than last year, and that's for a few reasons," Mr Lancaster-Smith said. "The official price that the Australian Macadamia Society gets every year from the DPI, is pretty much lineball with last year. "The unknown is the effect the price had on the market from 2023, into 2024 and the inputs on various farms that would give rise to high ...