Sustainability

Our macadamia growers are committed to clean, green production and the world’s best practice farming methods to help create a sustainable future, not only for themselves but also for the communities in which they work. In everything we do, we are mindful of our responsibility to current and future generations.

We invest millions of dollars annually in ongoing scientific research towards continually improving all parts of the growing and production process.

Biological Control

We lead the way in biological control on-farm (using natural methods to manage pests and diseases) and actively encourage our growers to look to organic and alternative solutions in the management of their orchards, including the use of integrated pest management (IPM) to control pests and reduce the use of pesticides.

Here's how:

• The Trichogramma wasp is now used by almost 70% of our farmers, helping to contain loss to nut borer and dramatically reducing the use of chemical sprays over the last decade
• Native bees are used as a natural pollinator, protecting honey bee populations, which are under threat globally, and in turn protecting the industry’s long term investment
• Native barn owls are used to fight off rodents that consume our valuable crops. Many farmers now install nesting boxes in their orchards to encourage the owls to prey on any unwanted pests.
• We’re leading a new initiative to develop an environmentally friendly program to control fruit spotting bug - the most damaging pest of sub-tropical horticulture crops. Causing millions of dollars damage each year, it affects a range of horticultural crops from macadamias to avocados and lychees.

Our record speaks for itself in this area – for the last 20 years we’ve received a 100% clean bill of health in the Federal Government’s National Residue Survey, which monitors residues of agricultural chemicals and environmental contaminants in Australian food commodities. This record is unmatched by any other Australian fresh product.

Conserving our natural resources

Our macadamia growers are passionate about conserving the water, soil, air, native vegetation and wildlife.

Here's how:

• Regeneration of remnant rainforest on their farms protects the natural topography and waterways of the region, creating a haven for native animals and beneficial insects as well as improving overall soil health.
• Planting of Richmond Birdwing vines protects the endangered Birdwing Butterfly - the butterfly lays its eggs on the vine and the caterpillars eat it.
• Development and use of Smothergrass, an innovative grass that covers the orchard floor and helps control soil erosion.
• Using 100% of the harvested nut. Nothing is wasted. The husk is used as fertiliser and new uses are constantly being researched, such as biochar for carbon capture and storage.
• The 6 million+ macadamia trees across Australia help reduce CO2 in the atmosphere 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Commitment to our local communities

The macadamia industry is one of the major horticultural economic contributors to the many regions in which we operate, injecting millions of dollars into these economies every year. In some regions, the industry contributes to as many as 40% of local businesses. We’re also committed to giving back to our local communities, supporting local food festivals, speaking at local schools and working with community groups to protect endangered species like the koala.

Conserving our wild macadamias

Our industry, via the Macadamia Conservation Trust (MCT), is passionate about protecting and conserving wild native macadamia trees in their native habitat for future generations.

It is estimated that over 80% of Australia’s wild macadamias have been lost since European settlement. Four species of native macadamias can still be found in small isolated remnants of rainforest between Lismore and Bundaberg.

Our conservation efforts have resulted in the development of a Species Recovery Plan which became the first conservation plan developed by a farming body to receive formal recognition from the Australian Government. The plan is being implemented under the project name Wild About Macadamias which is being funded by the MCT and generous donations by individual macadamia growers and macadamia businesses, non-government organisations and Hort Innovation. Additional funding and resources have also come from local councils including Gympie, Scenic Rim, Tweed and Logan.

To read more about why we need to conserve macadamias and how you can help, go to the MCT website.