2024 Australian Macadamia Crop Exceeds Expectations Despite Weather Challenges

By Ian Rogers

The Australian Macadamia Society (AMS) has announced the completion of the 2024 macadamia harvest, with a total crop yield of 53,950 tonnes in-shell at 3.5% moisture (equivalent to 57,850 tonnes at 10% moisture). This marks an 11.5% increase in production compared to 2023, despite falling slightly short of the original forecast of 56,000 tonnes at 3.5% moisture.

Strong Performance Amid Adverse Conditions

AMS CEO Clare Hamilton-Bate praised growers for their resilience in overcoming challenges such as prolonged heat and extended wet weather during the season, which extended harvest into November for some regions.

“The 2024 season surpassed expectations, with significant improvements in kernel recovery, nut size, and overall quality,” Ms. Hamilton-Bate said.

The industry also noted a marked increase in the volume of cracked nuts, resulting in a higher quantity of kernels available for the market.

Regional Conditions and Early 2025 Outlook

Looking ahead, the 2025 crop is showing promise, with most regions experiencing favourable growing conditions.

• South East Queensland and Northern NSW have faced mixed conditions, including high temperatures and wet weather, but flowering and nut set have been positive overall.
• A significant number of young trees are expected to start bearing fruit next year, further boosting production.

“The outlook is optimistic, though it’s still early days,” Ms. Hamilton-Bate added.

Industry Context

The 2024 figures are based on factory receipts from the Australian Macadamia Handlers Association (AMHA), which represents 90% of Australia’s macadamia production, as well as estimated contributions from non-members.

This robust performance underlines the resilience and adaptability of Australia’s macadamia growers, positioning the industry for further growth in 2025.

Key Statistics for 2024 Crop

• Total Production:
  • 53,950 tonnes in-shell at 3.5% moisture
  • 57,850 tonnes in-shell at 10% moisture
• Year-on-Year Growth: +11.5% from 2023

The industry remains cautiously optimistic as it prepares for the challenges and opportunities of the coming year.

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“Australian lightweight champion from lil ol’ Swan Bay”

By Samantha Elley

Maddog boxing’s Sunny McLean has been going from strength to strength this past year, grabbing titles from each of the events he has been fighting in.

Sunny McLean and his coach, Scott Smith, who runs Maddox Boxing, were recently picked to represent Queensland as the fighter and coach team to compete in the national titles in Gosford.

Sunny won all his elimination bouts and beat the NSW champion in the gold medal fight, to become the newly crowned Australian champion in the lightweight division.

They were surprised with a visit from Jason and Andrew Moloney, world champion professional boxers.

“Every state in Australia was there with all the best fighters and the (Moloney brothers) came to support us, so we felt so special,” said Scott.

“They came to help me prepare Sunny for his last two fights in this event.”

Sunny was competing for Queensland as he already holds the title of QLD/NSW interstate champion.

“His first opponent, the referee stopped the fight in the 3rd round,” said Scott.

“His second opponent was the favourite from Tasmania and Sunny won that fight to go through for the gold medal against the NSW champion.

“Andy (co-trainer) and I worked out a plan to beat him and Sunny did exactly what he was asked and never last control of the situation.

“He is now the Australian lightweight champion from lil ol Swan Bay.”

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Blueberry Prices Fall as Australian Supply Peaks Amid Seasonal Overlap

By Ian Rogers

Blueberry prices across Australia have dropped significantly, with punnets now selling for under $2.50 in most capital cities due to a seasonal surge in supply. Earlier in the year, a gap in supply led to prices soaring up to $20 a punnet in some areas. However, with production in full swing, Australians are enjoying more affordable prices as local farms reach peak output.

In Western Australia, this price decline is fuelled by a strong local supply, as blueberry production in the northern region winds down while production in the south ramps up. “What you’re seeing is a crossover between the two regions. This [price level] will be consistent for the next month,” explained Joshua McGuinness, Mountain Blue’s general manager of sales and marketing.

While many of WA’s blueberries are locally sourced, some are typically imported from the eastern states. However, recent biosecurity measures to mitigate fruit fly risks have limited imports, creating more demand for locally grown berries and supporting WA farmers.

Rachel Mackenzie, Executive Director of Berries Australia, noted that low prices in peak season do not pose a significant concern for growers, who base profit margins on annual averages. “We need to consider the whole season’s average price to ensure growers can turn a profit,” Mackenzie said.

With demand variations across the country, WA farmers are also taking advantage of interstate opportunities. Berrysweet owner Anthony Yewers shared that he plans to send fruit to South Australia to help meet supply gaps caused by recent adverse weather in the eastern states.

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Strong Global Interest in Australian Macadamia Farms

By Ian Rogers

The Australian macadamia industry is experiencing significant growth, attracting strong global interest, particularly in the Bundaberg region of Queensland, one of the country’s largest macadamia-producing areas. Recently, two well-developed and highly productive macadamia orchards spanning 1,512 hectares have been listed for sale, offering a rare opportunity for investment in this high-growth industry.

The first property, Winfield Orchard, covers 750 hectares and boasts 68,730 trees. It has undergone significant rejuvenation, including strategic limb and row removal and irrigation upgrades, resulting in a production of 1,043 tonnes of macadamias in 2024. Additionally, there are 48 hectares of vacant plantable land, providing an opportunity for further development.

The second property, Miara Orchard, spans 762 hectares and contains 33,703 younger trees planted between 2020 and 2022. In 2024, it yielded 13.9 tonnes, with production expected to increase as the trees mature. Both properties benefit from proximity to major transport hubs, ensuring efficient distribution to both domestic and international markets.

This surge in interest aligns with global trends and rising demand for macadamias, particularly in Asia, offering robust opportunities for Australian producers. The Australian macadamia industry has seen production increase from 35,200 tonnes in 2013 to 51,500 tonnes in 2021, highlighting the sector’s growth and potential.

For those interested in exploring macadamia farm investments, resources such as Farmbuy.com provide listings and guides to assist potential buyers.

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Australia’s dairy farmers prepared to face deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu if it arrives

Australia’s dairy farmers are proactively preparing for the potential arrival of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza strain, which has caused significant outbreaks in poultry and, more recently, in dairy cattle overseas. While Australia remains free from H5N1, the virus’s spread to mammals, including dairy cows in the United States, has heightened concerns within the agricultural sector.

The Australian government has allocated $95 million to bolster biosecurity measures and enhance preparedness against the looming threat of H5N1. This funding aims to support surveillance, early detection, and response strategies to mitigate the impact on both the agricultural industry and native wildlife.

Experts, such as Dr. Frank Wong from the CSIRO‘s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, assess the risk of an H5N1 outbreak in Australian dairy cattle as low. However, they emphasize the importance of vigilance and robust biosecurity practices to prevent potential incursions.

The Australian dairy industry is actively educating farmers on the risks associated with H5N1 and reinforcing the implementation of stringent biosecurity measures. These include controlling farm access, monitoring animal health, and ensuring proper sanitation to reduce the likelihood of virus introduction and spread.

By maintaining high biosecurity standards and staying informed about global developments, Australia’s dairy farmers aim to safeguard their herds and the broader agricultural community from the potential impacts of H5N1 avian influenza.

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