<p>As the sole macadamia exhibitor, Green & Gold Macadamias (the marketing division of Green Farms Nut Company (GFNC)), observed key trends and growth markets for macadamias in the food and beverage sectors at this year’s Anuga trade fair.</p> <p>Subjects discussed covered:</p> <ul> <li>Prices supported by the market with strong demand for macadamias as a premium ingredient.</li> <li>Macadamias well positioned to benefit from increased appetite for naturally healthy food driven by awareness of link between diet and health.</li> <li>Growth in demand for plant based proteins (like macadamias) and foods offering sustainability and ethical eating.</li> </ul> <p>Anuga, hosted biannually in Cologne, Germany, is the globe’s largest gathering for the food and beverage sectors, including world’s largest retailers and leading buyers. This year the trade fair took place 5 October - 9 October with a record of over 165 000 visitors (from over 198 countries) and 7400 exhibitors (from over 107 countries) taking part.</p> <p>“Our business has been attending Anuga for over 16 years and it’s always a fantastic learning experience for us in ensuring we’re continue to plan for the future. Understanding trends in the market is important to the role we play and ultimately how we deliver back to our growers”, says Alex Whyte, general manager, GFNC. The exhibitor stand was located within the International Nut Council (INC) pavilion, along with other nut processors, retailers and key players in the nut value chain. We had the opportunity to promote, establish new markets and customers.</p> <p>"The trade fair brings the global supply and demand together very precisely. With its clear concept and focus on relevant themes, it is a reliable marketplace for the global food world for customers from Germany and abroad,” Gerald Böse, President and Chief Executive Officer of Koelnmesse (organisers of the Anuga show), commented towards the end of the event (Anuga final report 2017). “Demand for macadamias remains strong with record prices being supported by the market. Macadamias play firmly in the premium segment which is encouraging for the future. There is a growing perception that South African macadamias are as good as Australian. Improved factories and processing capability together with increasing demand has exposed the market to South African product which has elevated its status.”continued Whyte.</p> <p>Only 20% of macadamias are used as an ingredient when compared to almonds for example where 80% is used as an ingredient. However they are increasingly being used in pastes, butters, cookies and ice cream amongst many others. “That we were the only macadamia exhibitor in 7400 puts our industry size in perspective and demonstrates growth potential. These trends represent an opportunity for the macadamia nut industry and indicate strong potential for ongoing growth in demand: for macadamias and other plant based proteins in feeding the globe in future."</p> <p>"However, the industry needs to continue research and educate the market around the health benefits of macadamia nuts like for example their omega 7 and monounsaturated fat content”, concluded Whyte.The largest consumer of macadamias is the U.S., followed by China and Europe. New and significant growth (although off a small base) is seen in Latin America, South America and Southeast Asia.As part of their ongoing strategy to remain at the forefront of industry developments, GFNC will also be exhibiting at the upcoming Food Ingredients Europe (FIE) show taking place 28 - 30 November 2017 in Frankfurt, Germany.</p>