<p>Export of Australia’s native nut is on the rise with firm global demand, led by Asia, making homegrown macadamias one of the nation’s top horticulture exports and unrivalled leaders in world trade.The local macadamia industry, worth $128 million at farm gate, $188 million at factory gate and $319 million at retail, sold 8,300 tonnes of kernel last year, 5,300 of which were sent offshore, putting Australian macadamias second to almonds on the list of the country’s top tree nut exports with a value of more than $120 million.</p> <p>CEO of Australian Macadamia Society, Jolyon Burnett, said there is major growth taking place in Bundaberg, which is now home to the world’s largest macadamia processing plant.“Bundaberg is currently the second largest macadamia growing area in the country,” he said. “With its current rate of production, it will challenge the Northern Rivers as the largest growing area in Australia within the next five years. “Overall, there has been a five-fold increase in plantings in the last 20 years and there’s now sixmillion macadamia trees in cultivation, a third of which are yet to reach full production,” Mr Burnett said.</p> <p>The domestic market remains the most thriving, consuming 35 per cent of local kernels, with the Asia Pacific region now the second largest representing 40 per cent of overall sales. The appeal of Australian macadamias is developing in international markets including Taiwan and Korea, while Japan heads the list as the biggest overseas consumer.Mr Burnett, said the key driver with our northern neighbours is that they’re moving away from traditional rice and fish-based snacks and are becoming more western in their eating habits, so snacking is increasing.“This trend is expected to continue, supported by growing awareness of the nut’s versatility and strong health credentials. There is also high demand for good quality snacks and Australia as a producer has an excellent reputation for high quality and food safety,” Mr Burnett said.</p> <p>There is great potential for the local industry with Australia leading the way in production, research and development. It is the largest producer and exporter, providing approximately 35 per cent of the world supply to more than 40 countries, ahead of South Africa and Hawaii, supplying 27 per cent and 15 per cent of macadamia kernels respectively.According to the Australian Nut Industry Council (ANIC), the broader industry, which represents almond, chestnut, hazelnut, macadamia, pecan, pistachio and walnut growers, has become the country’s largest horticulture exporter ahead of home-grown citrus, root vegetables and table grapes.</p> <p>The Australian Nut Industry predicts its rapid growth will continue with export forecasts to almost triple to $725 million within seven years. In total, the Australian tree nut industry will reach a gross farm gate value of $500 to $600 million, expected to rise to $1 billion by 2020.Macadamias are the only Australian native food to be widely traded internationally and have the advantage of being grown in their natural soil and climate. Farms range from small orchards with 1,000 trees to large operations with more than 300,000 trees. They are primarily sold as kernel and processed for snack food and as an ingredient in food products.</p>