Kwazulu-Natal (KZN) South Coast macadamia nut producers have doubled volumes over the past four years, capitalising on the growing global demand for the popular nuts.
South Africa is one of the world’s leading macadamia nut producers, and while Mpumalanga tops the list for trading, KZN posted a positive macadamia nut trade balance of more than R50 million in 2023, according to Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN).
The KZN South Coast has established itself as a leading producer of premium macadamia nuts, with exporters like Mayo Macs, Mac Eden, and Coastal Macadamia at the forefront of high-quality production.
CEO of macadamia processing, marketing and distribution company Mayo Macs, Cobus Venter, said the coast was one of the best-growing regions for macadamia worldwide.
“Mayo Macs have doubled their volumes in the last four years and again expect to double in the next four years, according to the current intake figures,” Venter said.
The company owns two state-of-the-art macadamia processing facilities near Nelspruit in Mpumalanga and Paddock on the south coast, with receiving depots located in Empangeni, George and Levubu. It is wholly owned by the grower shareholders, supplying the highest quality macadamia nuts.
Venter said macadamia was a long-term crop without income generated in the first number of years, with additional processing capacity required alongside increasing supply.
“The majority of the crop is exported, with nut in shell going to the Chinese markets, and kernel to the USA and European markets, and new markets being developed annually,” he said.
“We have seen an increased demand for macadamia shells, with various projects looking into different applications.”
Apart from Asian markets, most macadamia nuts produced in South Africa are exported to Europe and the USA.
TIKZN has noted that there is still a substantial untapped opportunity to explore as China is predicted to experience a steady increase in demand, primarily due to rising incomes of the middle class and their growing expenditure on convenient, nutritious foods.
South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise CEO, Vusumuzi Sibiya, said macadamias were consumed as a healthy snack and incorporated into sweets, baked goods, desserts, and other recipes, creating opportunities for investment in the sector.
“The KZN South Coast, which boasts incredible agricultural opportunities in sugar, bananas, and coffee, is also a key global player in the macadamia farming industry, with figures showing the massive potential for growth in this industry,” Sibiya said.
“We will continue to find ways to support investors, as international market demands rise for the high-quality product grown here.”
TIKZN CEO Sihle Ngcamu said the coast was pivotal in the country’s role as a leading macadamia exporter.
“However, it is equally vital that we move beyond exporting raw materials and focus on agro-processing locally. To this end, our export unit has been collaborating with local entrepreneurs who produce macadamia-based products such as oil, nut butter, and packaged nuts. We provide training to help them meet international standards and prepare for global markets,” Ngcamu said.
“Through initiatives like participation in international trade exhibitions, we are creating platforms for these entrepreneurs to showcase their products, establish networks, and secure new markets. This approach not only boosts export readiness but also drives economic growth and job creation within the province.”
