News

The Macadamia Research and Development (R&D) Strategic Investment Advisory Panel (SIAP) met in Brisbane on 9–10 October to discuss investment priorities, review projects and identify emerging opportunities for the industry. The meeting also welcomed the panel’s new independent Chair, Tara Diversi.

Key agenda items

• Industry Fund financial update
• Discussion of future needs and challenges identified at previous meetings, including:

            o Vertebrate pest management

            o Harvest efficiency

            o Post-harvest technology

• SHIFt program review and workshop
• Hort Innovation executive update
• Progress updates on current and previously endorsed projects
• Investment recommendations for FY27/28

Industry check-in

Panel members reported a low-yielding season, which is affecting grower returns and levy income. However, promising flowering and nut set were noted for the year ahead. Key industry challenges include best management practice adoption, cost management, supply chain pressures and international market competition. Sustainability and strategic investment prioritisation were recurring themes throughout the discussions.

Fund financials

Hort Innovation’s investment manager presented the R&D levy figures, showing a 16.8% increase in 2024/25, but a 26.7% year-on-year decrease as at September 2025. The fund’s closing balance is expected to drop significantly due to the poor season, reducing capacity for new R&D investments in 2025/26 and 2026/27. A gradual recovery is anticipated in following years.

Reinvestment opportunities

Discussion focused on projects due to conclude before June 2027, including fruit and banana spotting bug control, industry communications, integrated disease management and integrated pest management. The panel emphasised the importance of refining project scopes to deliver practical, measurable outcomes for growers.

Ideation workshop

A collaborative session prioritised research concepts in harvest efficiency, vertebrate pest management and post-harvest technology. Standout ideas included autonomous harvesters, kernel assessment technology, and novel pest control techniques. The group used a structured rating system to rank ideas by impact and cost.

SHIFt program review

The panel reviewed the Strategic Horticulture Investment Framework (SHIFt) and the current Strategic Investment Plan (SIP), identifying gaps and opportunities for improvement. There was strong focus on ensuring projects deliver measurable outcomes for growers and maintain active engagement with project reference groups.

Pollination gap analysis

Professor Saul Cunningham from the Australian National University presented findings from the project Macadamia pollination gap analysis and industry opportunities (MC24002). The research highlighted a need to close the gap between scientific understanding and industry practice, recommending more applied research, case studies and risk analysis on pollinator health and chemical use.

Frontiers investments

• Potential investment: The panel discussed the GOFAR (Global Organization for Agricultural Robotics) FIRA Oceania event, which showcases advanced agtech. Members agreed that before allocating future funds, technologies must be industry-relevant, affordable and have regulatory clarity for on-farm autonomy. No funds were invested at this meeting.
• Current investment: Updates were provided on the project Automating the Nuts Industry in Australia: A pathway to smarter orchards and labour optimisation (AS23008). The Project Reference Group will meet with delivery partner Blue White to assess applications for this technology in macadamias.

Current investments

Updates were also shared on macadamia breeding and evaluation programs, biosecurity planning, crop forecasting, disease management, and the development of an Integrated Code of Sound Orchard Practice.

The next SIAP meeting will be held in Bundaberg in February 2026.

For more information on Hort Innovation’s macadamia R&D and marketing investments, including a full list of current projects and program financials, visit the Hort Innovation Macadamia Fund webpage.