STATISTICS ON THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN MACADAMIA INDUSTRY
Updated 14 May 2018
NEW PLANTINGS
According to the latest tree sales data received from nurseries for 2017, the Macadamia industry is still growing rapidly. In 2017 the Southern African Macadamia Industry planted 5000 new hectares Macadamias.
Mpumalanga remains the major production region in South Africa, still with the highest growth rate. The North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal has responded to their appetite for macadamias and new plantings in this province is increasing substantially. In terms of hectares macadamias established, KwaZulu-Natal is now the second largest province. According to the latest tree census in 2012 there were approximately 19 000 ha established in South Africa. When the growth by the number of trees sold is taken into consideration, there is already approximately 32 500 ha established in South Africa. Macadamia production in South Africa has increased exponentially and the rate of production is expected to increase even more in the near future due to an exponential increase in new plantings annually.
Cultivars
‘Beaumont’ remains the most widely planted cultivar. ‘A4’ has gained much popularity in recent years. Other commonly planted cultivars include ‘816’, ‘814’, ‘Nelmak 2’, ‘A4’ and ‘788’.
Table 1. Total historical macadamia production in South Africa, expressed in metric tonnes on an inshell basis at 1.5% kernel moisture content.
Table 2: World Macadamia production projections, as presented at the 7th International Macadamia Symposium in 2015
EXPORT MARKETS
More than 95% of South Africa’s macadamia produce is exported. According to corrected figures received from the South African Revenue Service, the total value of macadamia exports in 2017 was R3 269 599 858.
Exported macadamia kernel totalled 22 052 tonnes when converted to an inshell basis at 30%* crack out and saleable kernel, which was approximately 48% of the total exported macadamia crop in 2017 on a volume basis. The weighted average price for macadamia kernels was R224.72/kg and R67.42/kg when converted to an inshell basis. The weighted average price for NIS was R71.63/kg.
* Note that the 30% is an arbitrary value and this figure will differ between areas and company. This will have a significant impact on the total tonnage of kernel on a NIS basis and the weighted average price per kg.
Table 2. South African Macadamia Export Markets (2012-2017). Values are expressed in Metric Tonnes on an inshell basis at 1.5% kernel moisture content.
Inshell
Nut in shell (NIS) macadamia exports totalled 23 589 tonnes with a monetary value of R1 782 929 778 that was destined mainly for Asia.
Kernel
Total exports for kernel was 6 615 tonnes at R 1 486 670 080. North America absorbed the largest quantity of South African macadamias (51% of the exported kernel), followed by Europe and Asia (refer to figure below).
Combined summary
The weighted average price for kernel was R224.72 / kg and NIS R75.58 / kg. Exported macadamia kernel was 6 615.61 tonnes and when converted to an inshell basis at 30% kernel recovery** the price was R67.42 / kg. The overall average price of macadamias expressed on an inshell basis was R71.63 / kg.
* Data received from SARS were corrected.
** 30% is an arbitrary value (based on the SAMAC loss factor benchmark) and this figure will differ between areas and individual exporters. This could have a significant impact on the total tonnage of kernel on a NIS basis and the weighted average price per kg.
