Coinciding with the website launch, the 2011 crop estimates are higher than initially thought. Now 31,500 tonnes (nut in shell) is expected from Southern Africa, up from the 27,500 tonnes, which was estimated in January.
It was initially thought that abnormal hail storms in late 2010 had reduced the crop in some production regions such as the Limpopo Province but these losses seem to have been compensated for by good production in Mpumalanga.
Despite this, SAMAC warns that due to shortages from other international production areas such as Australia and the growing demand from China, supply will still be tight.
Southern African Macadamia Growers’ Association chairman, Duncan Macgregor, said: “The estimates for the 2011 crop are in line with the Southern African industry’s long-term projections but due to a global shortage and the demand from China, there will still be a shortfall of macadamias in some markets.”
Source: SAMAC
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