Growers go nuts for new macadamia varieties

Queensland’s macadamia industry is flourishing with tree sales soaring, thanks to the strong backing of the Palaszczuk Government.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said as many as 2.5 million trees will be established across growing regions in Queensland and New South Wales over the next few years.

“Sales of four new Department of Agriculture and Fisheries-licensed varieties had doubled year on year since 2017,” he said on a visit to Lindols Macadamias at Goomboorian today.

“To ensure that growers can access sufficient licensed varieties, 21 nurseries have been accredited to provide planting material.

“All of the major tree varieties commercially grown in Australia have been extensively evaluated through trials led by DAF.

“New varieties are being developed under the national breeding and evaluation program led by DAF and the University of Queensland’s Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI).”

These projects were funded by Hort Innovation through the Macadamia R&D Fund with co-investment by the Queensland Government and our research partners.

Mr Furner said the Palaszczuk Government was working closely with industry to support this rapid expansion.

“The Australian Macadamia Society estimates that by 2025, nut-in-shell production will grow from about 50,000 tonnes to 75,000 tonnes,” he said.

“About three quarters of that yield is exported and the return for Queensland could potentially be in excess of $200 million based on current prices.

“But we can’t have a strong macadamia industry without a strong health response to COVID-19.

“That’s why the Palaszczuk Government has released a Vaccine Plan to unite families and protect Queenslanders from Delta.

“I encourage all eligible Queenslanders in the agriculture sector to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

ENDS

Media contact:          Ron Goodman            0427 781 920