ONE of the heaviest flowerings in Northern Rivers macadamia plantations courtesy of ideal spring conditions has growers hoping for a strong “comeback” season after three short NSW crops in a row have denied them the opportunity to take full advantage of improving prices.
While it is early days, growers say this spring’s flowering is one of the best they have seen and where there has already been nut set, it is described as superb.
Chief executive officer of the Australian Macadamia Society, Jolyon Burnett, said the picturesque blooming of Australia’s native nut was a welcome sight for an industry hit hard by three years of adverse weather events, which have included both excessively dry and excessively wet flowering periods.
But while this spring’s terrific flowering is a good sign, it doesn’t guarantee a bumper bounty, he said.
“The promising start to spring brings hope to growers who have been waiting for an upturn since the last big macadamia crop in 2006,” Mr Burnett said.
“The past few years have posted respectable flowerings, but the persistent rain this season, dry weather last season and the floods and storms of 2009 put the brakes on a significant yield.
“This is a critical time for growers and we hope this spectacular flowering will turn into a spectacular crop.”
As few as three per cent of flowers can be converted to nuts and only half of those reach full maturity if conditions are not favourable.
Macadamia consultant, Stephen McLean, said one of the potential risks at this time of year, which the region seemed to be just dodging at the moment, was blossom blight, a fungal disease caused by wet weather which can wipe out a large percentage of flowers.
Meanwhile, industry leaders have been active on the marketing side ensuring the short supply has not led to the macadamia nut’s market share dropping.
The 2010 harvest saw 35,000 tonnes of nut-in-shell produced in Australia, down significantly on the 42,000-plus tonne crops about five years ago.
About 60 per cent of that came from the Northern Rivers.
As part of the “new brand” program, growers and processors have teamed up with Olympic swimmer and celebrity masterchef, Eamon Sullivan, to showcase the healthy virtues of the nut.
The campaign has so far targeted the domestic market and Japan and been aimed at discriminating consumers who are interested in sustainability, the quality of food and ethics.
The plan is to hit the European market from October with trade communications and a new consumer campaign in Germany.
