More production boosts macadamia crop’s value

Hawaii macadamia nut farmers recently wrapped up their best season in nearly a decade thanks to strong prices and increased production that raised the value of one of the state’s biggest crops to an estimated $40 million.

Farmers in the state produced 46 million pounds of macadamias in the 12-month season ended June 30, up 12 percent from 41 million pounds in the prior season, according to a survey by the National Agricultural Statistics Service in cooperation with the state Department of Agriculture.

For the second season in a row, the average price per pound paid to farmers was 87 cents. That is up from 80 cents two years ago, and was last higher in the season that ended in 1990 when the price was 89 cents.

Last season’s relatively high price helped boost the value of the statewide crop by 12 percent to $40 million from $35.7 million in the prior season.

There have been only seven seasons in which the value of Hawaii macadamias has been at or above $40 million, according to National Agricultural Statistics data dating back to 1946. The most recent previous time the industry reached that mark was in the season ended in 2006 when the value hit $43.7 million. The record was $45 million during the season that ended in 1990.