THE launch of a new macadamia milk product is an indicator of the nut’s diverse potential and golden future.
Suncoast Gold Macadamia Milk was launched in November.
While Suncoast Gold Macadamia is based in Queensland, the new product is owned by Patons Macadamia in Victoria, which owns the Suncoast Gold brand.
Macadamia milk is not a new product but the company has put its product line, which consists of original and unsweetened options, into independent IGA supermarkets with a view to make it available in Woolworths from early 2015.
Patons Macadamia head of sales and marketing Tim Jarman said macadamia milk is a tasty, lactose free and gluten free, non-dairy drink alternative containing all the great health benefits that macadamias offer.
“People are learning more about the health benefits of various nut milks, which is driving the growth of non-dairy alternatives beyond soy such as with almond and hemp milk,” Mr Jarman said.
“We’ve responded by launching our very own range and we’ve already seen considerable interest from retailers in Australia and overseas.”
Both the original and the unsweetened macadamia milk retail for $4.69 for 1L.
Meanwhile the good news for macadamia growers continues to roll in with the Australian Macadamia Society announcing a final crop of 43,600 tonnes in-shell for 2014, an increase of 24 per cent (8400 tonnes) on last year’s crop.
In-shell sales increased 124pc to 11,200 tonnes, leaving just 32,400 tonnes in-shell processed to produce 9500 tonnes of kernel.
Australian Macadamia Society CEO Jolyon Burnett attributed a mix of favourable weather conditions, good pricing and a comparatively long harvest to the higher than expected crop size.
“There was an early start to the season and a long tail, with many growers only completing harvest in late November,” Mr Burnett said.
“As well, and because there was minimal wet weather, growers were able to continually harvest throughout the season unimpeded by rain.
“Good prices made it more profitable for growers to conduct an additional ‘late harvest’ pick-up, and therefore a very high percentage of the total crop has been harvested overall.”
Dry conditions resulted in less disease within orchards as well, giving a higher kernel recovery.
Australia’s largest processor of macadamia kernel, the Macadamia Processing Company Limited (MPC), announced in November that it would distribute more than $1 million in extra payments to its 230 growers for their 2014 deliveries, due to higher production, higher global demand and favourable growing conditions,
The company recently announced an additional 10c/kg paid to its growers with the possibility of an even higher payment for all consignments delivered in 2014 when the end-of-year review is conducted in February 2015.
MPC general manager Steven Lee said 2014 was another very strong year for MPC.
“Our efficient processing plant, high quality products and our professional marketing all underpin our profitability,” Mr Lee said.
“As a co-operative, it is our growers, not third party owners who reap the rewards for their hard work and investment in the company.”
The Group’s marketing company Macadamia Marketing International (MMI) continued experiencing strong demand for MPC’s macadamia kernel, particularly from the burgeoning markets of China, Taiwan, Korea and right across Asia.
“If you consistently provide high quality, fresh macadamias, then global customers will follow. We have spent many years developing our international customer base and our growers are now reaping the benefits,” Mr Lee said.