Marquis Macadamias Australia given approval for $40m expansion in Bundaberg

Massive expansion of growing export business will mean thousands of tonnes more in processing capability, with the first stage of the project to launch in 2022.

Bundaberg MP Tom Smith, Treasurer Cameron Dick and Marquis Macadamias CEO Larry McHugh discuss the $13.3 million expansion to the facility.

Marquis Macadamias Australia, part of the Marquis Group, has received development approval from the Bundaberg Regional Council for all three stages of its multi-million-dollar expansion to its macadamia processing facility in the region.

Stage one, now estimated to cost approximately $20 million, revised up from an initial estimate of $13.3 million, will see a new delivery area built as well as drying and storage for an additional 4,800 tonnes of nut-in-shell.

Marquis aims to commence stage one of the project in the second half of 2022, subject to final design details, government agency approvals and possible additions to the first stage of the development.

When all three stages are complete, Marquis estimates the expansion will cost from $35 million to $40 million.

Marquis Group Chief Executive Officer Larry McHugh said the company changed the initial scope of stage one when finalising designs for approval.

The expansion of the Marquis Macadamias facility will see capacity increase to 30,000 tonnes.

“When taking into account the rapid growth of macadamias in Bundaberg, we made a number of changes to the design of stage one,” he said.

“We are also considering bringing forward parts of the later stages, so that we can better deal with the rapidly expanding crop coming from our increasing grower shareholder base. This may increase the cost of stage one to $25 million.”

Mr McHugh said the project would support the growth of the macadamia industry in Bundaberg.

“The expansion project is an important step in the development of Marquis Group as a grower-owned company and for the broader Bundaberg macadamia industry.”

“It will provide a secure platform for further industry growth and deliver increasing benefits to the Bundaberg community, including new jobs for Bundaberg locals across construction, farming and other areas.”

Marquis Macadamias Australia’s Bundaberg expansion project comprises three stages:

Bundaberg MP Tom Smith, Treasurer Cameron Dick and Marquis Macadamias CEO Larry McHugh discuss the expansion to the facility.

Stage One:

Development of a new delivery area

Drying and storage buildings providing capacity for an additional 4800 tonnes of NIS

Installation of a solar farm

Stage Two:

Building of a new warehouse

Building of a new production area

Stage Three:

Two additional storage buildings

“The expansion project will significantly increase Marquis’ processing and export capabilities, catering to the demand for macadamia products globally,” Mr McHugh said.

For more information on the Marquis Group, visit www.marquis.com

About the Marquis Group

The Marquis Group of companies is comprised of the world’s largest growers, processors and marketer of macadamias, providing superior quality macadamias to food manufacturing, wholesale and retail customers spanning more than 45 countries, across five continents.

The Marquis Group is 100% grower owned, processing 22,000 tonnes per annum through Marquis Macadamias Australia and 10,000 tonnes per annum through Marquis Macadamias Africa. Both regions are ramping up capacity in the coming years to a combined 96,000 tonnes.

The production from these facilities is sold through the jointly owned company Marquis Marketing, which markets and sells over 20% of the world macadamia kernel.

Marquis Macadamias Australia production: 22,000 tonnes of nut-in-shell processed, representing 43% of Australia’s macadamia production

Marquis Macadamias Africa production: 10,000 tonnes of nut-in-shell processed

485+growers

700+ employees

Annual revenue of AU$292 million

Marquis Macadamias CEO Larry McHugh

History of the Marquis Group

The Marquis Group began in 1983 when four growers established the Macadamia Processing Company (MPC) in Lismore, New South Wales, Australia, processing 53 tonnes of nut-in-shell.

In 2011 Pacific Gold Macadamias (PGM) was established in Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia, while Macadamia Marketing International (MMI) was formed in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia to market and sell the combined production of MPC and PGM.

In 2019, MPC wholly acquired PGM. In February 2020 MPC and PGM rebranded to Marquis Macadamias Australia, while MMI rebranded to Marquis Marketing.

In October 2020, South Africa’s Global Macadamias became a 50% shareholder in Marquis Marketing.

In May 2021, Global Macadamias rebranded to Marquis Macadamias Africa to align with the greater vision of the Marquis Group.This week Marquis received development approval from the Bundaberg Regional Council for all three stages of its macadamia processing facility expansion in Bundaberg.

Key points:

• Stage one, now estimated to cost approximately $20 million, revised up from an initial estimate of $13.3 million, will see a new delivery area built as well as drying and storage for an additional 4,800 tonnes of nut-in-shell (NIS).
• Marquis aims to commence stage one of the project in the second half of 2022, subject to final design details, government agency approvals and possible additions to the first stage of the development.
• When all three stages are complete, Marquis estimates the expansion will cost from $35 million to $40 million.

Originally published as Marquis Macadamias Australia given approval for $40m expansion in Bundaberg