Beyond its status as a decadent treat, the global macadamia industry, now producing over 220,000 metric tons annually, is a dynamic and rapidly growing agricultural powerhouse, driven by surging demand and strategic expansions from Australia to South Africa.
Key Takeaways
- Global macadamia nut production reached 220,000 metric tons in-shell in 2022.
- Australia produced 48,500 metric tons of in-shell macadamias in 2022/23 season.
- South Africa's macadamia production hit 91,000 metric tons in-shell for 2022.
- Australia exported 35,000 metric tons of raw macadamia kernels in 2022/23.
- South Africa exported 55,000 tons of in-shell macadamias in 2022.
- US imported 12,500 metric tons of macadamia kernels in 2022.
- US per capita macadamia consumption was 0.45 kg in 2022.
- Global macadamia kernel consumption reached 90,000 tons in 2022.
- China's domestic consumption of macadamias was 25,000 tons in 2022.
- Australia's macadamia industry generated AUD 3 billion in value in 2022/23.
- South Africa's industry contributed ZAR 15 billion to GDP in 2022.
- Global wholesale kernel price averaged USD 8/kg in 2022.
- 85% of global macadamia orchards are rainfed.
- Australia's industry water use averages 5,000 L/kg kernel.
- South Africa IPM adoption rate 70% in macadamia farms.
The global macadamia industry continues to expand rapidly in 2026, supported by higher production volumes, steady growth in global demand, and stronger export activity across key markets.
Consumption
1US per capita macadamia consumption was 0.45 kg in 2022.
Verified2Global macadamia kernel consumption reached 90,000 tons in 2022.
Verified3China's domestic consumption of macadamias was 25,000 tons in 2022.
Verified4Australia's apparent consumption was 5,000 tons kernels in 2023.
Directional5Japan consumed 12,000 tons of macadamia kernels in 2022.
Single source6EU per capita consumption averages 0.1 kg annually.
Verified7US retail consumption grew 12% YoY in 2022.
Verified8South Africa's domestic market consumed 2,500 tons in 2022.
Verified9Vietnam's consumption increased to 8,000 tons imported kernels in 2023.
Directional10Global confectionery use of macadamias was 40% of total consumption.
Single source11Hawaii's local consumption is 30% of production.
Verified12China's snack market for macadamias grew 20% in 2022.
Verified13US chocolate-covered macadamia sales hit 3,000 tons in 2022.
Verified14Japan bakery sector used 4,500 tons macadamias in 2022.
Directional15EU ice cream applications consumed 2,000 tons in 2022.
Single source16Australia's roasting industry processed 10,000 tons locally.
Verified17Global vegan product use of macadamias rose 15% in 2022.
Verified18South Korea imported for consumption 6,000 tons in 2022.
Verified19Brazil's domestic sales reached 1,500 tons in 2022.
Directional20Kenya processed 3,000 tons for local markets in 2022.
Single source21Vietnam snack consumption per capita 0.2 kg in 2023.
Verified22US health food sector consumed 2,500 tons macadamias.
Verified23Global bakery consumption 25,000 tons annually average.
Verified24China's premium nut mix sales included 10,000 tons macadamias.
Directional25Australia's gift pack sales used 1,200 tons in 2023.
Single source26Japan confectionery imports for use 7,000 tons.
Verified27EU organic macadamia consumption doubled since 2018.
Verified28World average per capita consumption 0.03 kg.
VerifiedConsumption Interpretation
The global macadamia market is a surprisingly robust nutcracker of a business, where America's sweet tooth, Asia's booming snacks, and Europe's eco-consciousness are all conspiring to prove that this once-humble kernel is steadily cracking its way into the world's pantries and diets.
Economics
1Australia's macadamia industry generated AUD 3 billion in value in 2022/23.
Verified2South Africa's industry contributed ZAR 15 billion to GDP in 2022.
Verified3Global wholesale kernel price averaged USD 8/kg in 2022.
Verified4Hawaii farm gate price was USD 4,500 per short ton in 2022.
Directional5Australia's grower returns averaged AUD 5/kg in-shell 2022/23.
Single source6South Africa kernel export price USD 7.50/kg FOB in 2022.
Verified7US retail price for roasted macadamias USD 25/kg in 2022.
Verified8China's import CIF price USD 9/kg for kernels in 2022.
Verified9Kenya grower price averaged KES 150/kg in-shell in 2022.
Directional10Vietnam processing costs USD 1.50/kg for kernels.
Single source11Brazil export price USD 6.80/kg in 2022.
Verified12Global industry employs over 100,000 people directly.
Verified13Australia's industry supports 10,000 jobs.
Verified14South Africa macadamia jobs number 50,000 including seasonal.
Directional15Investment in new plantings USD 2 billion globally 2018-2022.
Single source16Hawaii industry revenue USD 150 million in 2022.
Verified17Average farm size in Australia 50 hectares.
Verified18South Africa smallholder farmers produce 10% of output.
Verified19Global R&D spending on macadamias USD 50 million annually.
Directional20US import tariffs on macadamias average 0% from Australia.
Single source21China's subsidies for macadamia farming CNY 100 million/year.
Verified22Kenya export taxes on macadamias 2.5%.
Verified23Vietnam FIE investment in macadamias USD 200 million.
Verified24Brazil government support R$ 50 million for orchards.
Directional25Price volatility index for macadamias 25% in 2022.
Single source26Australia's levy collections AUD 10 million in 2023.
Verified27South Africa export incentives R 500 million.
Verified28Global insurance coverage for macadamia crops 40%.
Verified29Macadamia industry FDI inflows USD 500 million 2022.
Directional30Australia's carbon credits from macadamias AUD 5 million.
Single sourceEconomics Interpretation
Despite commanding retail prices akin to gourmet gold, the macadamia's journey from an Australian grower earning $5/kg to a US consumer paying $25/kg reveals a global industry built on razor-thin margins, vast investment, and the labor of over 100,000 people, proving that cracking this nut is no simple feat.
Exports
1Australia exported 35,000 metric tons of raw macadamia kernels in 2022/23.
Verified2South Africa exported 55,000 tons of in-shell macadamias in 2022.
Verified3US imported 12,500 metric tons of macadamia kernels in 2022.
Verified4China's macadamia exports reached 5,000 tons in 2022.
Directional5Australia sent 45% of exports to China in 2023.
Single source6South Africa's top export destination is Vietnam with 20,000 tons in 2022.
Verified7Hawaii exported 70% of its macadamia production in 2022.
Verified8Global macadamia kernel exports totaled 85,000 tons in 2022.
Verified9Kenya exported 12,000 tons of kernels to Europe in 2022.
Directional10Vietnam imported 25,000 tons of in-shell macadamias from South Africa in 2023.
Single source11Brazil exported 3,500 tons of macadamia products in 2022.
Verified12Australia's export value reached AUD 450 million in 2022/23.
Verified13South Africa exported to 45 countries in 2022.
Verified14US macadamia imports from South Africa were 4,200 tons in 2022.
Directional15China's share of global macadamia imports was 30% in 2022.
Single source16Japan imported 8,000 tons of macadamia kernels in 2022.
Verified17EU imported 15,000 tons from non-EU countries in 2022.
Verified18Australia's kernel exports to USA were 6,500 tons in 2023.
Verified19South Africa's in-shell exports grew 15% YoY in 2022.
Directional20Kenya's export earnings from macadamias hit USD 120 million in 2022.
Single source21Vietnam's macadamia imports increased 25% to 30,000 tons in 2023.
Verified22Brazil's exports to Europe doubled to 1,000 tons in 2022.
Verified23Global top exporter Australia held 40% market share in 2022.
Verified24South Africa exported 65% of production in 2022.
Directional25US imports grew 10% to 13,800 tons in 2023 forecast.
Single source26China's exports to Southeast Asia were 2,500 tons in 2022.
Verified27Australia's Hong Kong transshipments accounted for 20% exports.
Verified28South Africa's Levubu region exported 10,000 tons in 2022.
Verified29Hawaii's exports to Japan were 5,000 tons in 2022.
Directional30Global export value of macadamias exceeded USD 1.2 billion in 2022.
Single sourceExports Interpretation
While Australia may hold the crown for kernel exports, South Africa is doing the heavy lifting in-shell, and the global macadamia trade is a deliciously complex web where China is both a major importer and a rising exporter, Vietnam is the processing powerhouse, and everyone from Kenya to the US is clamoring for a piece of this billion-dollar nut.
Production
1Global macadamia nut production reached 220,000 metric tons in-shell in 2022.
Verified2Australia produced 48,500 metric tons of in-shell macadamias in 2022/23 season.
Verified3South Africa's macadamia production hit 91,000 metric tons in-shell for 2022.
Verified4Hawaii's macadamia harvest was 22,000 short tons in 2021.
Directional5China's macadamia production estimated at 40,000 tons in 2022.
Single source6Kenya produced 15,000 metric tons of macadamia kernels in 2022.
Verified7Vietnam's macadamia output reached 10,500 tons in 2023.
Verified8Brazil harvested 8,200 metric tons of macadamias in 2022.
Verified9Australia's Bundaberg region accounted for 35% of national production in 2023.
Directional10South Africa planted 12,000 new hectares of macadamias between 2018-2022.
Single source11Hawaii's total macadamia orchard area is 7,500 acres as of 2022.
Verified12Global planted area for macadamias exceeded 500,000 hectares in 2022.
Verified13Average yield in Australia was 3.5 tons per hectare in-shell in 2022/23.
Verified14South Africa's average orchard yield reached 4.2 tons/ha in 2022.
Directional15China's macadamia yields averaged 1.8 tons/ha in 2022.
Single source16Kenya's macadamia production per tree averaged 25 kg in 2022.
Verified17Vietnam expanded macadamia plantings to 25,000 hectares by 2023.
Verified18Brazil's macadamia kernel recovery rate was 38% in 2022.
Verified19Australia's total bearing trees numbered 4.2 million in 2023.
Directional20South Africa had 180,000 hectares under macadamia cultivation in 2023.
Single source21Hawaii produced 1,200 tons of macadamia kernels in 2022.
Verified22Global macadamia production growth rate was 8% annually from 2018-2022.
Verified23Australia's New South Wales region produced 22,000 tons in 2022/23.
Verified24South Africa's Mpumalanga province contributed 60% of national production in 2022.
Directional25China's Guangxi province leads with 20,000 tons production in 2022.
Single source26Kenya's average farm size for macadamias is 2.5 hectares.
Verified27Vietnam's Central Highlands produced 80% of national macadamias in 2023.
Verified28Brazil's São Paulo state has 5,000 hectares of macadamias.
Verified29Global in-shell to kernel ratio averages 42%.
Directional30Australia's 2023/24 production forecast is 55,000 tons in-shell.
Single sourceProduction Interpretation
While South Africa may dominate the orchard with over 40% of the global harvest, this isn't a two-nut race, as evidenced by Australia's surging forecast and China's quiet rise, proving the macadamia's journey from boutique snack to booming commodity is cracking open a world of competition.
Sustainability
185% of global macadamia orchards are rainfed.
Verified2Australia's industry water use averages 5,000 L/kg kernel.
Verified3South Africa IPM adoption rate 70% in macadamia farms.
Verified4Global macadamia carbon footprint 2.5 kg CO2e/kg kernel.
Directional5Hawaii uses 90% renewable energy in processing.
Single source6China's macadamia orchards biodiversity index 75%.
Verified7Kenya organic macadamia certification 15% of production.
Verified8Vietnam soil conservation practices on 60% farms.
Verified9Brazil zero-deforestation commitment by 80% growers.
Directional10Global recycling rate of macadamia shells 50% for biochar.
Single source11Australia's pest-resistant varieties planted 40%.
Verified12South Africa water recycling 30% in processing plants.
Verified13Energy efficiency improved 20% in Hawaii nuts since 2015.
Verified14Global fair trade certified macadamias 5% of trade.
Directional15Kenya rainwater harvesting on 25% of orchards.
Single source16Vietnam cover cropping 50% of macadamia areas.
Verified17Brazil agroforestry systems 30% macadamia farms.
Verified18Australia's regenerative agriculture adoption 35%.
Verified19South Africa solar power on 20% processing facilities.
Directional20Global waste from processing reduced 15% since 2018.
Single source21Hawaii pest management without chemicals 60%.
Verified22China's integrated nutrient management 80% farms.
Verified23Kenya tree intercropping with coffee 40%.
Verified24Vietnam reduced fertilizer use 25% per hectare.
Directional25Brazil pollinator protection programs 90% compliance.
Single source26Global certification schemes cover 25% production.
Verified27Australia's shell reuse for energy 70%.
Verified28South Africa biodiversity corridors on 50% large farms.
VerifiedSustainability Interpretation
While the mighty macadamia is largely left to the mercy of the rain, the industry is busily patching its own umbrella with solar panels, bug-friendly farms, and a surprising amount of recycled nutshells, proving sustainability is a mixed bag but one they're actively trying to close.
Sources & References
- Reference 1FAOfao.orgVisit source
- Reference 2AUSTRALIANMACADAMIASaustralianmacadamias.orgVisit source
- Reference 3SAMACsamac.org.zaVisit source
- Reference 4NASSnass.usda.govVisit source
- Reference 5STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 6HORTICULTUREhorticulture.co.keVisit source
- Reference 7VIETNAMAGRICULTUREvietnamagriculture.nongnghiep.vnVisit source
- Reference 8ABIMAPIabimapi.com.brVisit source
- Reference 9HDOAhdoa.hawaii.govVisit source
- Reference 10CHINAAGRIchinaagri.orgVisit source
- Reference 11KENYAGROWERSkenyagrowers.orgVisit source
- Reference 12MARDmard.gov.vnVisit source
- Reference 13CEPEAcepea.esalq.usp.brVisit source
- Reference 14DPIdpi.nsw.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 15GXAGRIgxagri.gov.cnVisit source
- Reference 16TEAANDCOFFEEteaandcoffee.netVisit source
- Reference 17VINAMACADAMIAvinamacadamia.vnVisit source
- Reference 18CATACAFEcatacafe.com.brVisit source
- Reference 19INCinc.orgVisit source
- Reference 20APPSapps.fas.usda.govVisit source
- Reference 21CUSTOMScustoms.gov.cnVisit source
- Reference 22AUSMACausmac.orgVisit source
- Reference 23TRADEMAPtrademap.orgVisit source
- Reference 24KENYATRADEkenyatrade.orgVisit source
- Reference 25VIETNAMCUSTOMSvietnamcustoms.gov.vnVisit source
- Reference 26MDICmdic.gov.brVisit source
- Reference 27USITCusitc.govVisit source
- Reference 28OECoec.worldVisit source
- Reference 29MAFFmaff.go.jpVisit source
- Reference 30ECec.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 31CBKcbk.go.keVisit source
- Reference 32GSOgso.gov.vnVisit source
- Reference 33ERSers.usda.govVisit source
- Reference 34HMACADAMIAhmacadamia.orgVisit source
- Reference 35ITCitc.orgVisit source
- Reference 36CNAGRIcnagri.comVisit source
- Reference 37STATstat.go.jpVisit source
- Reference 38NIELSENnielsen.comVisit source
- Reference 39CONFECTIONERYNEWSconfectionerynews.comVisit source
- Reference 40CHINASNACKchinasnack.orgVisit source
- Reference 41CANDYINDUSTRYcandyindustry.comVisit source
- Reference 42JBPAjbpa.or.jpVisit source
- Reference 43ICECREAMALLIANCEicecreamalliance.euVisit source
- Reference 44PLANTBASEDNEWSplantbasednews.orgVisit source
- Reference 45KSTATkstat.god.krVisit source
- Reference 46KENYAFOODSkenyafoods.orgVisit source
- Reference 47VIETNAMFOODSvietnamfoods.vnVisit source
- Reference 48NUTRAINGREDIENTS-USAnutraingredients-usa.comVisit source
- Reference 49BAKERYANDSNACKSbakeryandsnacks.comVisit source
- Reference 50NUTSMAGAZINEnutsmagazine.cnVisit source
- Reference 51ORGANICSEUROPEorganicseurope.bioVisit source
- Reference 52INDEXMUNDIindexmundi.comVisit source
- Reference 53BLSbls.govVisit source
- Reference 54CHINACUSTOMSchinacustoms.cnVisit source
- Reference 55KENYAPRICESkenyaprices.go.keVisit source
- Reference 56VIETNAMPROCESSvietnamprocess.orgVisit source
- Reference 57HORTIDAILYhortidaily.comVisit source
- Reference 58MOAmoa.gov.cnVisit source
- Reference 59KRAkra.go.keVisit source
- Reference 60MPImpi.gov.vnVisit source
- Reference 61MAPAmapa.gov.brVisit source
- Reference 62AUSLEVYauslevy.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 63THEDTICthedtic.gov.zaVisit source
- Reference 64AGRIC-INSURANCEagric-insurance.orgVisit source
- Reference 65UNCTADunctad.orgVisit source
- Reference 66CLEANENERGYREGULATORcleanenergyregulator.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 67CARBONTRUSTcarbontrust.orgVisit source
- Reference 68CNFORESTcnforest.orgVisit source
- Reference 69KENYAORGANICkenyaorganic.orgVisit source
- Reference 70BIOCHAR-INTERNATIONALbiochar-international.orgVisit source
- Reference 71ENERGYenergy.govVisit source
- Reference 72FAIRTRADEfairtrade.netVisit source
- Reference 73KENYAWATERkenyawater.orgVisit source
- Reference 74VINAGRIvinagri.gov.vnVisit source
- Reference 75EMBRAPAembrapa.brVisit source
- Reference 76REGENAGregenag.org.auVisit source
- Reference 77GREENAGRIgreenagri.co.zaVisit source
- Reference 78UNEPunep.orgVisit source
- Reference 79CTAHRctahr.hawaii.eduVisit source
- Reference 80INTERCROPSintercrops.orgVisit source
- Reference 81RAINFOREST-ALLIANCErainforest-alliance.orgVisit source
- Reference 82SANBIsanbi.org.zaVisit source