W12 Macadamia Update: Price Rebounds after Historic Low, Theft Threatens South Africa’s Macadamia Industry

Macadamia Nut Prices Increased Globally After Historic Low in 2023

Macadamia prices have rebounded in 2024 after reaching a historic low in 2023. The director of Global Macadamias mentioned that the demand for macadamias has decreased after peak prices in 2018. However, the increasing demand from China led to higher prices in 2024. The harvest for macadamias in South Africa will begin soon, and there is optimism that the prices for kernels and in-shell macadamias will increase by 10% to 30% compared to 2023. Moreover, South Africa's macadamia production is projected to rise by 14% YoY to 90.14 thousand metric tons (mt) in the 2023/24 season, cementing its position as the leading producer of macadamia globally.

South African Macadamia Industry Faces Theft Challenges

The South African Macadamia industry has been facing significant theft challenges, with individuals and organized syndicates involved in stealing the nuts before they reach processors. The South African Macadamia Association (SAMAC) initiated an investigation to expose the criminal networks and protect the industry's crops. SAMAC collaborated with two operatives claiming to be part of the Hawks, South Africa's Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, to conduct the investigation. However, SAMAC suffered a setback in its efforts to combat theft in the industry, as it was defrauded of USD 210.2 thousand, and both money and equipment were stolen.