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Edgar Vhera Agriculture Specialist Writer

MACADAMIA nut in shell exports surged a whopping 106 percent from 310 000 kilogrammes in the first quarter of 2023 to 639 000 kilogrammes during the comparable period this year, as harvesting enters the home stretch.

Statistics recently released by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStats) show that macadamia nut in shell exports rose from 309 869 to 638 950kg.

Earnings, however, rose by 35 percent from US$337 034 to US$455 716 weighed down by the decline in average price.

The average price dropped 34 percent from US$1, 09 to US$0, 71 per kilogramme.

Macadamia Producers Association of Zimbabwe (MPAZ) secretary general Mr Fortune Gurai said the increase in volumes might be due to new trees coming to maturity as well as improved logistics.

“The rise in the volume of exports can chiefly be attributed to new plants coming to maturity rather than anything else, as this was a bad season characterised by the El Nino drought.

“Last year some exporters experienced delays at the port of Durban in South Africa resulting in build-up of produce unlike this year,” he said.

Mr Gurai said the price of wet macadamia nut in shell was still within the US$0, 90 and US$1, 20 per kilogramme depending on quality against a production cost of around US$1, 50.

Farmers are still awaiting feedback from the Government on their request for the setting of a ceiling price for the crop on the backdrop of alleged unfair practices by buyers over the past three years with prices dropping from US$3, 50 to the current US$0, 90.

Zimbabwe grows the Intergrifolia and Beaumont macadamia varieties with harvesting of the former completed early this year while harvesting of the main crop started a week ago.

Meanwhile the Horticultural Development Council (HDC) September 2023 seasonal update revealed that yields for the season was estimated at 8 000 tonnes, a decrease occasioned by reduced inputs and the El Nino dry season.

Macadamia prices in the just-ended season were at their lowest in 20 years. Demand is, however, expected to firm this season, said the report.

In the second edition of the horticulture investment forum held last year, the HDC said it was anticipating investments of US$75 million in order to achieve its 2030 target macadamia hectarage of 5 000.

Such an investment will produce an annual output of 15 000 tonnes worth US$40 million, as the horticulture sector strives to become a US$1 billion industry by 2030.

The NMB bank also chipped in saying 85 percent of US$22, 5 million lines of credit accessed from the Trade and Development Bank were deployed into horticulture sector with US$3 million supporting macadamia and avocado plantations.

A Government representative present at the investment forum said following the conclusion of the citrus trade protocol with China, conversations were ongoing on signing the protocol for the avocadoes, macadamia and pecan nuts.