Bundaberg region takes mantle as biggest macadamia producer

The Bundaberg macadamia industry is now the largest producer in Australia producing approximately 40 percent of the national crop.

Bundaberg has taken over from the Northern Rivers area of New South Wales, which produces just under 40 percent of the national crop, HTW Rural's latest report noted.

"The main advantage Bundaberg has is scale of operation with approximately 60 growers whereas the Northern Rivers has approximately 450 growers," it said.

Macadamia nut prices have been increasing for a number of years and were $5.09 per kilogram nut in shell last year and are expected to be $5.20 per kilogram nut in shell this year.

HTW last reported sale of a macadamia nut orchard in Bundaberg was for around $7 million.

Sales generally reflect a market value range of $35,000 to $40,000 per irrigated treed hectare.