Benchmarking report: The Australian macadamia industry 2009-2014 seasons

Abstract

This report summarises the findings of the latest round of on-farm benchmarking conducted as part of the MC09001 project 'Improving farm productivity and competitiveness in the Australian macadamia industry'. The benchmarking study now covers the six production seasons from 2009 to 2014. Variation in yield per hectare has a major bearing on farm profitability. The 'On-farm economic analysis in the Australian macadamia industry' project (MC03023) found a very strong correlation between farm productivity and profitability. The focus of the study has been on analysing, comparing and reporting yield and quality results. This is consistent with the key objective from the Macadamia Industry Strategic Investment Plan for 2014 to 2019 to 'sustainably increase the productivity of Australian macadamia farms'. Benchmarking was expanded in 2014 to also cover an analysis of macadamia farming costs of production. The results of the costs of production study are covered in a separate report