Macadamia Market Size, Share, Trend Report, 2034

Macadamia Market Overview

Global Macadamia Market size in 2024 is estimated to be USD 3069.76 million, with projections to grow to USD 4681.11 million by 2033 at a CAGR of 4.8%.

The global macadamia market has witnessed an increase in commercial cultivation, with over 240,000 metric tons of macadamia nuts produced in 2023. Australia and South Africa jointly contribute more than 55,000 metric tons, accounting for a significant portion of the total supply. Kenya, the U.S. (Hawaii), and China are also notable contributors, with combined annual outputs exceeding 40,000 metric tons. Rising demand for macadamia nuts in confectionery, bakery, and premium snack segments has led to a surge in new plantations across Asia-Pacific and Africa. The nut's high-fat content, with over 76% monounsaturated fats, makes it an increasingly preferred alternative in plant-based diets. The average kernel recovery rate has increased to 32%, leading to enhanced yields and better profitability for growers. Furthermore, macadamia oil production for cosmetic and skincare industries has grown, consuming over 12,000 metric tons annually.

Key Findings

Top Driver Reason: Increasing demand for healthy and plant-based fats is a major growth driver for the macadamia market.

Top Country/Region: Australia leads the market, producing over 28,000 metric tons annually, backed by advanced processing infrastructure.

Top Segment: The food and beverage industry dominates macadamia consumption, using over 65% of the global production for snacking and confectionery applications.

Macadamia Market Trends

Macadamia nuts are increasingly used in premium confectionery and bakery products, with over 18,000 metric tons consumed in chocolate-based offerings globally. In 2023, snacking applications accounted for 37% of macadamia kernel consumption due to a rising health-conscious demographic. The global trend of plant-based and keto diets has also increased macadamia usage in nut butters and milk alternatives, with macadamia milk experiencing a 15% rise in demand. The cosmetic and personal care industry is leveraging macadamia oil due to its palmitoleic acid content, contributing to over 7,500 metric tons of kernel use in oil extraction annually.

The shift toward clean-label and natural products is fueling demand for unprocessed and organic macadamia nuts, now making up 19% of all retail-packaged macadamias. Countries like China and South Korea have seen macadamia imports increase by over 20% in volume year-over-year, making Asia a fast-growing consumption hub. E-commerce penetration has facilitated direct-to-consumer channels, increasing retail-packaged nut sales by over 9,000 metric tons globally. The adoption of mechanized shelling and sorting technologies has also improved operational efficiency, reducing post-harvest losses by 14%.

Macadamia Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Rising demand for functional foods and plant-based snacks.

Increased awareness about the health benefits of nuts, including their high unsaturated fat and antioxidant content, is driving demand. In 2023, over 52,000 metric tons of macadamia kernels were used in the health snack segment globally. With increasing cases of cardiovascular diseases and obesity, dietary shifts are evident, prompting more consumers to opt for nutrient-dense options. Macadamias, offering 8.6 grams of monounsaturated fats per 28g serving, are becoming a staple in wellness-oriented diets.

RESTRAINT

Limited processing infrastructure in emerging regions.

In several new cultivation regions such as Malawi and Vietnam, processing infrastructure remains underdeveloped. The average processing capacity in these countries is under 4,000 metric tons annually, leading to dependence on exports of raw nuts. This limits local value addition and affects overall profitability. High capital expenditure for cracking and drying machinery, averaging $500,000 per facility, deters new players from investing in these regions.

OPPORTUNITY

Expansion of macadamia applications in cosmetic formulations.

With its high oleic acid (over 60%) and palmitoleic acid content, macadamia oil is increasingly adopted in anti-aging and moisturizing creams. Over 6,800 metric tons of kernels were processed into oil in 2023, with demand projected to expand in premium skincare lines. Manufacturers are now developing cold-pressed macadamia oil variants, tapping into the clean beauty trend, especially in Europe and Japan.

CHALLENGE

Vulnerability to climate change and inconsistent yield.

Macadamia trees require specific temperature and rainfall conditions, making them vulnerable to climatic variability. In 2023, several regions in South Africa experienced yield drops of over 12% due to irregular rainfall and high temperatures. Pests like nut borers and fungal infections also affected kernel quality, reducing export-grade product yield by 9% in affected farms. The average gestation period for trees is over five years, limiting quick adaptability.

Macadamia Market Segmentation

The macadamia market is segmented by type (Original Taste, Salt-Baked Taste, Creamy Taste) and by application (Food and Beverage Industry, Cosmetics and Personal Care Industry). Each segment presents unique consumption patterns and processing volumes, with the food sector commanding a larger share due to macadamia's wide use in health snacks, desserts, and functional foods.

By Type

Original Taste: Original taste macadamia kernels are typically sold raw or roasted without added flavoring, representing 54% of global kernel consumption. In 2023, over 78,000 metric tons were consumed globally in this category. They are preferred in health and fitness sectors due to minimal processing and high nutrient retention.
Salt-Baked Taste: Salt-baked macadamias accounted for approximately 26,000 metric tons in 2023. The snack industry prefers this variant due to its shelf stability and mass appeal. Particularly popular in Asia-Pacific markets, salt-baked kernels saw a 17% increase in imports into China in the last year.
Creamy Taste: Creamy taste macadamias are infused with flavorings such as vanilla or butter before roasting. In 2023, creamy-flavored macadamias represented 12,000 metric tons globally. These are predominantly used in premium snack mixes and gourmet food packaging, especially in North American and European retail outlets.

By Application

Food and Beverage Industry: In 2023, the food and beverage industry consumed over 96,000 metric tons of macadamia kernels globally. Bakery and confectionery segments utilized 43,000 metric tons, while snack applications accounted for over 35,000 metric tons. Macadamia nut milk and spreads are growing subsegments.
Cosmetics and Personal Care Industry: Over 12,500 metric tons of macadamia kernels were used for oil extraction in the cosmetic sector in 2023. Macadamia oil is present in 18% of premium moisturizers launched globally over the last two years. The oil’s stability and high oxidative resistance enhance its appeal in serums, conditioners, and lotions.

Macadamia Market Regional Outlook

The global macadamia market exhibits varied growth and production characteristics across regions due to climatic suitability, investment in value chains, and consumption trends.

North America

The U.S. (primarily Hawaii) produced approximately 14,000 metric tons of macadamia nuts in 2023. Consumer demand across the mainland U.S. for healthy snacking and plant-based alternatives has driven retail sales up by 11%. Imports from Africa and Australia supplement domestic production, with California and Florida emerging as potential cultivation zones due to favorable soil pH and temperature.

Europe

Europe imported over 19,000 metric tons of macadamia kernels in 2023. Germany and the UK remain top markets, with demand centered around bakery and dairy-alternative products. The region is also a leader in using macadamia oil in cosmetic formulations, contributing to over 4,500 metric tons of annual kernel demand.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific represents the fastest-growing consumption hub. China alone consumed over 28,000 metric tons in 2023. Australia, with 28,000+ metric tons of annual production, leads regional supply. Thailand, Vietnam, and India are expanding their cultivation area by 5,000 hectares combined, aiming to double output by 2027.

Middle East & Africa

Africa contributed over 72,000 metric tons to global supply in 2023, led by South Africa (61,000 metric tons) and Kenya (10,000+ metric tons). UAE and Saudi Arabia are key consumer markets for premium snacks and macadamia oil, with retail imports growing by 9% year-on-year.

List of Top Macadamia Market Companies

Hamakua Macadamia Nut
MacFarms
Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut
Nambucca Macnuts
Wondaree Macadamia Nuts
Eastern Produce
Golden Macadamias
Ivory Macadamias
Kenya Nut
Macadamia Processing

Top 2 Companies by market share

Golden Macadamias: Golden Macadamias is one of the largest macadamia processors globally, handling over 20,000 metric tons of macadamia nuts annually. It operates advanced cracking, drying, and grading facilities in South Africa and exports to more than 25 countries. The company holds a significant share in the global kernel supply market and is known for its premium-grade raw and roasted macadamias.

Ivory Macadamias: Ivory Macadamias processes more than 17,000 metric tons of macadamias per year, with its facilities located in the heart of South Africa’s major growing regions. It has implemented high-efficiency automation in shelling and quality inspection, contributing to a kernel recovery rate of over 34%, one of the highest in the industry. It serves food manufacturers and cosmetic brands across Europe, Asia, and North America.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

The global macadamia market is attracting substantial investments in plantation development, processing technologies, and R&D. Over $450 million was invested globally in 2023 in macadamia-related projects. Asia-Pacific countries like Vietnam, India, and China are investing in expanding plantation areas. China added over 8,000 hectares under cultivation in the last two years, supported by government subsidies and private partnerships.

African countries such as Kenya and Malawi are focusing on infrastructure development, including processing hubs capable of handling over 5,000 metric tons per facility. Investments in vertical integration—from farm to export—are helping improve traceability and profit margins. In Australia, investments in post-harvest technologies have led to a 13% increase in shelling efficiency, reducing kernel breakage losses from 8% to under 4%.

Opportunities also exist in macadamia-based product innovation such as protein bars, nut butters, and dairy-free creamers. Private equity firms and agri-tech startups are entering this niche, with over 50 new investment deals recorded in 2023. The emergence of macadamia as a high-value export crop, particularly for low-income economies, offers a strong case for public-private collaboration in boosting capacity and value addition.

New Product Development

The macadamia market has experienced a wave of innovation across both food and cosmetic sectors, with manufacturers introducing value-added products to cater to health-conscious consumers, gourmet enthusiasts, and premium skincare markets. In 2023 alone, more than 60 new macadamia-based products were launched globally, covering snacks, dairy alternatives, confectionery, and cosmetic formulations.

In the food and beverage industry, one of the most notable innovations was the launch of macadamia nut butter blends featuring cacao, honey, and sea salt variants. These were introduced in single-serve pouches and 200g jars, targeting health-focused consumers. This category alone saw a volume growth of over 4,500 metric tons in kernel usage in 2023. Similarly, macadamia milk, a dairy-free alternative with a smooth texture and naturally sweet profile, expanded into new markets such as Canada and the UAE. One brand recorded an increase in demand by 23% after introducing shelf-stable packaging and barista-blend formulations.

In confectionery, chocolate-coated macadamia clusters were rolled out by premium brands in the U.S. and Europe, using whole kernels with an average nut content of 15% per unit. These gourmet products saw distribution across 3,000+ specialty retail outlets in 2023. The innovation trend also included macadamia-based granola bars and vegan ice creams, leveraging the nut’s creamy texture and high fat content to improve product richness and nutritional profile.

In the cosmetics and personal care industry, macadamia oil has been incorporated into over 150 new skincare and haircare formulations launched in the past year. Noteworthy developments include dual-phase anti-aging serums containing 20% cold-pressed macadamia oil, marketed for their antioxidant-rich properties. Brands in Japan and South Korea reported a 12% increase in consumer preference for products featuring macadamia oil over argan oil in the anti-aging category.

Additionally, UV-protective hair conditioners with 5–7% macadamia oil concentration were introduced in Australia and Europe. These products demonstrated higher oxidative stability, extending shelf life by up to 20% without synthetic preservatives. Macadamia shell extract was also utilized in exfoliating facial scrubs, tapping into the clean beauty and zero-waste trends. These innovations contributed to an additional 1,800 metric tons of kernel consumption for oil extraction in 2023 alone.

Five Recent Developments

Golden Macadamias: upgraded its facility to process 25,000 metric tons/year with new shelling automation in 2023.
MacFarms: introduced single-serve roasted macadamia snack packs in the U.S., increasing distribution to 3,200 stores.
Kenya Nut: launched an organic macadamia oil line for skincare, using 100% pesticide-free kernels.
Mauna Loa: began exporting flavored macadamia kernels to South Korea and Taiwan, with an annual target of 3,000 metric tons.
Ivory Macadamias: achieved ISO 22000 certification across all processing plants, improving export reliability in 2024.

Report Coverage of Macadamia Market

The macadamia market report provides in-depth analysis across all critical stages of the value chain—from plantation development to final product distribution. It covers global production and consumption patterns, focusing on top-producing countries such as Australia, South Africa, Kenya, and the U.S., which collectively contribute over 70% of the world’s macadamia supply. The report assesses output data for both in-shell and shelled kernels, highlighting regions with increasing productivity and emerging cultivation zones, including Vietnam and India.

The report includes a detailed segmentation analysis by type (Original Taste, Salt-Baked Taste, Creamy Taste) and by application (Food and Beverage Industry, Cosmetics and Personal Care Industry), offering metrics on consumption volumes, processing outputs, and market penetration. For instance, the food and beverage industry consumed over 96,000 metric tons in 2023 alone, while macadamia oil production reached over 12,500 metric tons, mainly used in skincare and haircare applications.

Furthermore, the report outlines regional outlooks for North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa, emphasizing trade volumes, import-export dynamics, and local consumption trends. Asia-Pacific emerges as a dominant growth hub, consuming over 28,000 metric tons in China alone, with increasing imports from African and Oceanian countries.

The competitive landscape is analyzed, listing the top 10 companies, including Golden Macadamias and Ivory Macadamias, which together process over 37,000 metric tons annually. Profiles include company processing capacity, kernel quality metrics, export destinations, and infrastructure capabilities.

Investment trends are explored, highlighting over $450 million invested globally in 2023 across plantations, mechanization, and cold-pressed oil facilities. The report identifies capital flow into emerging markets and provides insights into R&D allocations, especially in premium macadamia product innovations like protein bars, nut butters, and sustainable packaging.

Additionally, five key recent developments (2023–2024) are reviewed, showcasing certifications, new product launches, and technological upgrades. The report is designed to support decision-makers across agriculture, food production, cosmetics, retail, and investment domains with data-backed insights, enabling precise strategy formulation in both upstream and downstream activities of the macadamia industry.