The largest processor of macadamia nuts in Australia, the Macadamia Processing Company (MPC), based near Lismore in northern NSW, has announced its 50 per cent acquisition of Consolidated Nuts (Aust.) Pty Ltd (CNA) in Queensland.
CNA operates the only macadamia processing plant in the rapidly-growing macadamia region of Bundaberg in southern Queensland, which is expected to produce about 40 per cent of Australia’s macadamia nuts within five years.
Together, the two regions of northern NSW and Bundaberg will account for about 80 per cent of Australia’s macadamia nuts by 2015.
“This significant investment means we are better able to provide our customers – in Australia and around the world, with a reliable, high-quality supply of macadamias, as well as providing our growers with better price stability long-term,” MPC Chairman Chris Ford said.
“At MPC we’re not just a processor – we have the goals, leadership and drive to ably steer the macadamia industry into the future,” Mr. Ford said.
“That’s what we are doing with this investment, and we believe our contribution enhances both companies’ reputation as quality players and leaders in the macadamia industry.”
The other half of Consolidated Nuts (Australia) continues to be owned by the Australian-based company Capital Commercial, which is owned by the largest growers of macadamia nuts in Australia. The company has substantial plantings at Hinkler Park Plantation in the Bundaberg region, Victoria Park Plantation in Northern NSW and Barberton Valley Plantation in the South African Province of Mpumalanga.
Macadamia marketing company
In addition, MPC and CNA have set up a new marketing company (with 50 per cent ownership each), to market the output from the MPC and CNA plants, as well as from other macadamia sources in Australia and around the world.
The company, called Macadamia Marketing International Pty Ltd, or MMI, will be headquartered at the MPC site at Alphadale near Lismore.
MMI aims to take a more coordinated approach to marketing with a longer-term view of the market. It plans to forge global alliances that will result in significant macadamia product lines and worldwide distribution channels.
“The scale of this marketing company and anticipated growth in sales will bring tangible benefits for both MPC and CNA shareholders and growers, and to the Australian industry as a whole” MPC General Manager Larry McHugh said.
State-of-the-art processing facility for Bundaberg
Construction is underway on a new, state-of-the-art processing factory and laboratory in Bundaberg. The new factory will enable CNA to service the growing Bundaberg macadamia industry – with production set to double from 10,000 tonnes per annum to 20,000 tonnes per annum in five years.
The factory is due to be completed later this year, with processing to begin in 2012. It is expected to process 5,000 tonnes of macadamias in its first year of operation. The new factory will provide an expanded processing service to Bundaberg growers and greater laboratory support. It will use the latest technology and equipment to lower processing costs, as well as to enhance the quality and value of the product.
The new factory will replace the existing CNA factory, located just outside Bundaberg, at Winfield. It is anticipated this factory will operate at full capacity during the current 2011 season.
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