Hawai‘i Macadamia Nut Posts Largest Production in 6 Years

At the annual Made in Maui County Festival, Maui Gourmet Popcorn sells their popular coffee cookies, taro cookies, macadamia nut brittle, gourmet popcorn and cereal treats. File photo courtesy of Made in Maui County Festival.

The macadamia nut crop in Hawaiʻi posted the largest production in six years and had a new record high farm price.

Hawaiʻi utilized macadamia nut production for 2017-2018 increased 17% from last season to 49 million pounds (net, wet-in-shell basis) according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

According to the report, growing conditions were generally favorable for the crop but spoilage was higher. Labor shortage, wild pigs, and pest problems continued to be challenges this season.

The in crop and harvested acreage estimates for 2017-2018 remained unchanged from the previous season at 18,000 and 16,000 acres, respectively. Approximately 1.3 million trees were estimated for in crop acreage.

The NASS also reports yield averaged 3,060 pounds per acre, up 16% as compared to the previous year’s estimate of 2,630 pounds.

Average moisture content for the overall crop this season was 20.5% compared with 19.8% from last season.

Farm value for the 2017-2018 crop is estimated at $53.9 million (net, wet-in-shell basis), up 28% from the 2016-2017 season. The average farm price increased 10 cents from last season to 110 cents per pound and a new record high.