AMS: Australia’s macadamia crop forecast has been reduced after severe weather impacts
The 2021 Australian macadamia crop forecast has been revised down after severe weather hit New South Wales growers, while Bundaberg is out in front of the harvest stage.
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While the Bundaberg region is more than halfway through this season’s macadamia crop, according to the Australian Macadamia Society the nation’s crop forecast may not be meet prior expectations.
The AMS recently announced the 2021 Australian macadamia crop forecast has been revised down by 4.5 per cent from 50,770 to 48,500 tonnes in-shell at 3.5 per cent moisture (from 54,440 to 52,000 tonnes at 10% per cent moisture).
The modest reduction is reportedly a direct result of the severe weather experienced by New South Wales growers in recent months, which caused crop loss in many parts of the state.
The new forecast represents an increase on last year’s crop of approximately 3.5 per cent.
“Australia’s east coast experienced extreme and prolonged rainfall during March and April, causing widespread flooding in New South Wales, and associated harvest delays, orchard and infrastructure damage,” said AMS CEO Jolyon Burnett.
“The mid north coast growing region, in particular Nambucca, was the most heavily impacted.”
Mr Burnett said the crop reduction is also in part due to the ongoing legacy of previous years’ sustained drought conditions.
“Some farms are still seeing the effects of the hot and dry conditions from previous seasons,” said Mr Burnett.
With more than 50 per cent of the Australian macadamia crop now collected, the nut sizing is more normal this season and while kernel yields are slightly down, Mr Burnett says overall quality is very good.
“Notwithstanding the extreme conditions, most regions are reporting a good quality crop,” he said.
The AMS said all growing regions are at different stages of harvest, with Bundaberg, Australia’s largest macadamia producer, out in front, having now delivered 80 per cent of its crop.
The latest Australian macadamia industry crop estimate is based on forecast intake provided by the Australian Macadamia Handlers Association (AMHA) to the end of May.
The AMHA represent 90 per cent of production in Australia.
A further crop report will be provided in August/September, and the final figure for the 2021 crop will be announced by the AMS in early December.
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