The Peanut & Tree Nut Processors Association (PTNPA) annual convention is recognised as a key event for keeping up to date with industry insights and trends, and connecting with peers.

The 2025 event was highly engaging and the macadamia industry was well represented.

With administrative and policy changes taking shape, US market dynamics were an important focus of discussion. For the WMO, the US is one of our priority markets for growing consumer demand for macadamia nuts.

The US economy outperformed expectations in the latter part of 2024, with personal consumption levels strong, indicating growth.

Scott Clemons, Partner and Chief Investment Strategist at Brown Brothers Harriman, shared that the impact of the new administration is being closely monitored by industry, particular in the areas of personal spending, trade and tariffs, immigration policies and interest rates.

For macadamias, it was great to see new product launches and novel product concepts planned for 2025. The forecast 10%+ CAGR for macadamia supply over the next five years gives buyers’ confidence, combined with the geographic spread of macadamia production which plays an important role in risk management.

We attended a macadamia panel discussion led by Graeme Taylor (Global Macadamias, South Africa). He was joined by David Ferraro (Stahmann Webster, Australia), Thomas Nottebohm (Mayan Gold Macadamias, Guatemala), and Brian Loader (Green & Gold).

Supply updates shared by participants in this discussion showed:

• Strong flowering and favourable weather expected to produce growth in Guatemala in 2025.
• Harsh dry conditions in Brazil reducing crop volume.
• Growth in South Africa, mostly coming from new plantations coming into production.
• New crops in production in Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and other African countries too.
• In Australia prolonged heat has delayed the start of harvest, and a slight volume increase is expected as younger orchards come online.
• Kenya will hear in early March on government regulations regarding nut-in-shell exports.
• There is interest in the China supply, stock levels, and demand over the Chinese New Year period.
• The 2024 carryover levels are generally believed to be limited.

More broadly, we talked about how the industry is evolving with many processors offering more services at origin, including pasteurisation, roasting and dicing. 

There is also increasing interest in macadamia oil, influenced by consumers seeking alternatives to seed oil and the unique properties of interest to the cosmetic industry. 

A big thanks to PTNPA for hosting a great event, we look forward to next year.