Bundaberg Region macadamia growers have celebrated a bumper season, coming together this week to mark World Macadamia Nut Day.
The Bundaberg region is recognised as Australia’s largest producer of macadamias, accounting for more than 40 per cent of the Australian macadamia crop.
World Macadamia Nut Day coincidentally coincides with the end of macadamia harvest season, meaning fresh macadamias are now available for residents to buy.
Bundaberg Macadamia Grower Chris Harte said that despite a difficult season it’s been a bumper harvest.
“We’ve had a bumper season … the last two years have been record droughts, but we’ve more than made up for it this year,” he said.
“We average around 10kgs a tree and we have more trees per hectare than the standard, so despite the difficult season we’ve had a great yield.”
Fresh and flavourful
With harvest drawing to a close, Chris said macadamias were at their peak of freshness and flavour.
“These are some of the best quality nuts around they’re just a very tasty nut – they’re good and healthy for you, full of good cholesterol and good oils, and overall is a great snack.”
“We have our own little cracker at home and my wife will get in a frenzy, of course when you buy them from a supermarket they’re already cracked,” he joked.
Now that this year’s macadamia harvest has drawn to a close, locals will begin to witness the spectacular blossoming of the Bundaberg region’s macadamia trees, which signals the start of the new season, and next year’s crop.
That outlook is positive with rain expected to help growth.
“Over the next few months they’ll start developing little nutlets and that’s when we have to stay on the ball regarding pests and diseases and looking after them until harvest next year.”
“They’re saying a relatively wet spring and summer, so hopefully looking good for the next couple of years.”
Farmers have a crack for World Macadamia Nut Day
World Macadamia Nut Day wouldn’t be complete without a friendly toe-to-toe nut cracking competition, with growers Chris Harte and Ngarie Myers taking part in the tradition.
“It’s just a bit of fun really to recognise the day,” said Chris.
“It’s always good to have a healthy competition with your neighbour and see who can crack the most.”
