Australian macadamia growers have recovered from the record rains and flooding in NSW and South East Queensland earlier this year to produce a higher than anticipated crop of 52,974 tonnes in-shell @ 3.5% moisture (56,800 tonnes in-shell @ 10% moisture).

Growers in the hardest hit growing region – the NSW Northern Rivers – experienced lower losses and higher yields than expected, while new plantings in the largest growing region of Bundaberg contributed to increased crop in that area.

AMS CEO Clare Hamilton-Bate said the intense weather systems along Australia’s east coast from late February to early April significantly delayed harvest in the affected regions, with many growers unable to access their orchards.

“The delayed harvest also made forecasting extremely difficult,” Ms Hamilton-Bate said.

“The industry revised its original forecast down to 49,340 tonnes in-shell @ 3.5% (52,900 tonnes in-shell @ 10% moisture) in April following the flooding.”

Ms Hamilton-Bate said the late harvest meant that there were more deliveries in the tail-end of the season in the Northern Rivers than previous seasons.

“Growers in this region are now focused on orchard remediation and erosion control to improve recovery from the severe weather conditions.

“Bundaberg however, which accounts for around 46 per cent of Australia’s crop, was not impacted by the severe weather, and performed strongly in terms of production.”

The 2022 crop is three per cent higher than the 2021 crop of 51,500 tonnes in-shell @ 3.5% moisture (55,200 tonnes in-shell @ 10% moisture).

The 2022 crop is based on actual factory receipts of the Australian Macadamia Handlers Association (AMHA) until the end of October. The AMHA represents 95% of the macadamia crop in Australia.

Preparation for the 2023 season is now well underway, with the harvest due to commence in February.