Global demand for Vietnamese macadamia exports has steadily been increasing. The market will require around 220,000 tons of kernels, equivalent to 850,000 tons of fresh nuts by 2025, according to a forecast.
Macadamia is a multi-purpose forestry tree that contributes to increasing people’s income and protecting the environment. Currently, there are 29 provinces across Vietnam growing macadamia, with a total cultivation area of 20,000 hectares. The annual output reaches more than 9,000 tons of fresh nuts.
Vietnamese macadamia exports
There remains significant potential to expand Vietnamese macadamia exports. Japan, South Korea, China, the United States, the Netherlands, and Germany will be promising markets.
However, Vietnam’s macadamia industry still faces several challenges. They include rudimentary processing techniques, low value-added products, and low quality. Also, the consumer market still keeps limited. Most importantly, there is a lack of coherent mechanisms and policies to encourage participation from local communities and businesses in the development of the macadamia sector.
Nevertheless, in recent years, processing capacity in many key regions has been improving. This helps contribute to greater value creation for Vietnam’s macadamia exports.
Vietnamese macadamia packing box
Kbang District has the largest macadamia cultivation area in Gia Lai Province, with over 2,800 hectares. Aiming to develop regional linkages in production, 20 processing facilities and units are now operational, helping ensure product off-take for local farmers.
Ms. Nhu, owner of a local macadamia factory, shared: “Our facility is equipped with a moisture-reducing dryer. After purchasing, the nuts are dried for 72 hours and stored in cold, dry conditions. We have joined various agricultural fairs and regional specialty showcases in major cities. This has helped us connect with wholesale buyers of macadamia from many areas.”
Lam Dong province is also a key macadamia-growing region in the Central Highlands, with over 5,000 hectares under cultivation. Thanks to the development of a production chain, many households now earn billions of Vietnamese dongs per year.
Vietnamese macadamia loading
Mr. Pham, Vice Chairman of Lam Dong province, stated: “Macadamia cultivation in the province has developed in a synchronized manner, from variety selection and farming practices to processing. In addition, many macadamia farming models has developed towards to organic orientation.”
The provinces in the Central Highlands are planning to further expand macadamia cultivation areas. However, it is clearly directive that production should closely link to processing and market consumption. This approach is essential to ensure the sustainable development of the crop and to bring higher economic returns to local farmers.
Vietnamese source: https://vtv.vn/kinh-te/du-dia-xuat-khau-mac-ca-viet-nam-con-rat-lon-20231019111840997.htm