Viet Nam aims to be one of the world's leading countries in producing and exporting macadamia products by 2030.

The project approved by the Government on March 15 aims to develop macadamia cultivation and processing in 2021-2030 sustainably.

Under the scheme, the macadamia export value is hoped to reach about US$400 million in 2030 and $2.5 billion in 2050, with the percentage of macadamia in shells being less than 40 per cent.

In 2030, macadamia nut output is expected to reach about 130,000 tonnes and increase to about 500,000 tonnes in 2050.

The country aims for 130,000-150,000 hectares of macadamia farms by 2030, mostly in the northwestern and Central Highlands regions.

Based on the evaluation of macadamia farming efficiency in 2021-2030, the area could be expanded to about 250,000 hectares in 2050.

Under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), the General Department of Forestry said it had developed a plan to guide localities to implement the scheme effectively.

It also continues to develop the macadamia production by applying advanced technology and good agricultural production practices (VietGAP, GlobalGAP), and promote organic agriculture to produce quality and competitive macadamia products for domestic and international markets.

Meanwhile, MARD has also issued technical guidelines for growing, preliminary processing and preserving macadamia nuts and standards for macadamia cultivars.

According to experts, Viet Nam has the potential to develop at least 200,000 hectares of macadamia trees and produce about 600,000 tonnes of whole shelled macadamia nuts.

According to the General Department of Forestry, from 2016 to 2020, the total export turnover of Viet Nam's macadamia nuts reached $59.6 million.

Viet Nam's macadamia nuts have been exported to 21 countries and territories, including Thailand, Germany, Malaysia, Hong Kong, the Netherlands and the US.

Viet Nam's macadamia nut products have initially entered large and fastidious markets in the world and the domestic market, which opens up good opportunities for the development of macadamia plantations in Viet Nam.

Macadamia products sold in the domestic market are mainly dried nuts and kernels. Products made from macadamias include milk, coffee, cooking oil and shampoo.

As of May 2021, the whole country had 65 facilities for preliminary processing and processing of macadamia nuts, mainly concentrated in two provinces of Lam Dong and Dak Lak.

The total raw material consumption demand is 7,315 tonnes of nuts. The scale of the processing facilities is different, ranging from 10 tonnes per year to over 1,000 tonnes.

Machinery and equipment for preliminary processing and processing are mainly simple such as dehumidifiers, dryers and seed stamping machines.

Now, some enterprises are investing in modern technology to produce macadamia milk products, such as TH True Milk Joint Stock Company and Nutifood Company.

Processing and consumption stages are always the most challenging factors for crops if they gain large output.

Tran Quang Bao, deputy director of the General Department of Forestry, said according to the scheme, investment in macadamia processing establishments near farming areas will be encouraged with a target of 300-400 new facilities with a capacity of 100-200 tonnes per year each to be built by 2030, while the existing 65 facilities will be upgraded.

Businesses are encouraged to partner with farmers to form a production and selling chain.

At the same time, localities will receive support from scientists in the selection of varieties and farming techniques.

According to this project, to develop markets for macadamia products, localities should build their macadamia trademark with geographical indication while carrying out trade promotion activities to introduce the products to domestic consumers.

At the same time, localities are advised to coordinate with ministries, businesses and the Viet Nam Macadamia Association to expand the export market and remove trade barriers while strengthening the export of the nuts, both whole shelled and processed, through official channels and increase the export of processed products.

The Viet Nam Macadamia Association is asked to coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to research and forecast the supply and demand in domestic and export markets for having suitable adjustments in production. — VNS