Macadamia Nut Utilized Production up 17 Percent from Last Season
Hawaii utilized macadamia nut production for 2017-2018 increased 17 percent from last season to 49.0 million pounds (net, wet-in-shell basis) according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. The crop posted the largest production in six year and had a new record high farm price. 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. Yield averaged 3,060 pounds per acre, up 16 percent as compared to the previous year’s estimate of 2,630 pounds. Average moisture content for the overall crop this season was 20.5 percent compared with 19.8 percent from last season.
Farm value for the 2017-2018 crop is estimated at $53.9 million (net, wet-in-shell basis), up 28 percent from the 2016-2017 season. The 2016- 2017 net farm price of 100 cents per pound increased 10 cents to 110 cents per pound for 2017-2018 crop year and a new record high. Please see Table 2 on the next page for the macadamia nut historical data series.
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