Sustainable production of macadamias

Australia is the world’s major producer of macadamia kernel, and macadamias are the country’s fourth largest horticultural export. About 800 growers can produce 45,000 tonnes per year, with 70% of the crop exported to more than 40 countries. To meet the demands of today’s conscious consumer, growers use scientific research to understand the inherently sustainable characteristics of the macadamia tree and guide the adoption of sustainable on-farm practices.

Macadamia nutlets

Last year, one third of consumers forwent their favourite brands due to sustainability considerations[i] and 83% of consumers in APAC expect companies to care about the environment.[ii] In APAC, the demand for macadamia nuts has increased by 20% in the last two years. The Australian macadamia industry – which accounts for 77% of all imported macadamias in APAC[iii] – is embracing the opportunity this presents.

“Demand for transparency is at an all-time high and sustainable production is a non-negotiable for many,” says Lynne Ziehlke, General Manager, Marketing for the Australian macadamia industry.

“Now and in the future, selecting ingredients that have resilience to production pressures, and therefore reduced environmental impacts, will be increasingly desirable to both producers and consumers.”

Ms Ziehlke says that manufacturers already understand the taste, texture, luxury and health that macadamias can bring to a product.

Lynne Ziehlke, General Manager, Marketing for the Australian macadamia industry

“We’re excited to share the sustainability credentials macadamias can now deliver too. From water use efficiency, to carbon sequestration, minimisation of carbon outputs, recycling of by-products and world’s best biological control, the macadamia industry really is kicking goals in this space.”

Research unveils the inherent sustainability of the macadamia tree

The macadamia tree is a sustainability giant of the plant world, thanks to its inherent ability to optimise its water use, and sequester carbon from the atmosphere.

Macadamia trees can rationalise available water more efficiently than previously estimated. 

Recent scientific analysis of sap flow data from macadamia orchards in Queensland has revealed that macadamia trees rationalise available water more efficiently than previously estimated. This is due to the tree’s clever internal water management system that shuts down the tree’s stomatal pores during times of low moisture, making the tree resilient to its environment, particularly drought.[iv]

So, while changes to our external environment can significantly stress other crops causing inconsistent yields and impacts to the supply chain, the macadamia tree has an incredible natural ability to weather volatile conditions.

“This in-built resilience makes it a certain crop, even in uncertain times,” says Ms Ziehlke.

These findings pave the way for growers to adopt smarter, more efficient irrigation schedules and water management, minimising the need for excessive intervention, while maintaining a reliable supply.

In separate research findings[v], it has also been discovered that the average Australian macadamia orchard removes more than 17 tonnes gross and 14.5 tonnes nett of carbon per hectare per year from the atmosphere. The macadamia tree’s size, volume of foliage, and long lifespan mean that every tree can hold a substantial amount of carbon, more so than many other crops.

Australian growers minimise their carbon and waste footprint

Ms Ziehlke added that Australia’s 800-odd macadamia growers are determined to tread as lightly in the orchard as possible.

“As well as absorbing carbon, Australia’s macadamia industry limits its carbon output by minimising the use of heavy diesel-consuming machinery and transportation. Human intervention in the orchard is light, and processing facilities are located within major growing regions, ensuring the nuts don’t have to travel far from the tree to be shelled, dried and packed.”

Growers ensure every part of the macadamia tree and nut is either reused or recycled, with nothing going to landfill. Macadamia shells are used to generate electricity or made into stock feed, and any organic matter such as branches or foliage are returned to the earth beneath the tree to be reabsorbed by the soil from which they originally grew.

Working with nature, not against it

Ms Ziehlke says Australia’s macadamia industry sees no trade-off between sustainable growing practices and productivity. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.

“We know without a doubt that the more sustainable we are, the more productive we are, and this is driving innovative thinking on-farm, increased biodiversity, and development of effective biological controls.”

The industry works with nature as much as possible, as demonstrated by the extensive implementation of pest suppressive landscapes. It’s a practice that centres on increasing biodiversity to bring balance to the natural environment and allow beneficial insects that suppress harmful pests to thrive. This is achieved by planting diverse species around the macadamia trees and actively sowing inter-rows between tree rows with a host of different vegetation including grasses, legumes and brassicas, as well as floral coverage to encourage natural pollinators.[vi]

“The Australian macadamia industry has a long history of combating pests and disease through the use of biological controls, with the best-known initiative being the introduction of the Trichogramma wasp as a natural and highly effective tool in the fight against nut borer.”

Australia is now at the forefront of another big development in biological control, with trials of entomopathogenic fungi as a natural pest control due for completion soon[vii].

“Researchers have isolated the most effective fungi and we’re conducting trials in orchard to determine the best time of the season to use them. With our growers so passionate about farming in an eco-sensitive way, this will be another fantastic bio control tool for them to leverage,” said Ms Ziehlke.