Korea fancies our nuts
A positive outlook for the Australian macadamia nut industry has come down to precision timing.
As the Korean appetite for the buttery nut grows, a free trade agreement has paved the way for increased exports to the country.
The source of the increased demand came from a bizarre place.
On a Korean Air flight this month, the airline's vice president and daughter of the company's chairman, Cho Hyun-ah, was outraged to be served macadamias in a bag instead of on a plate.
In the same week, the FTA with Australia was signed.
Australian Macadamia Nut Society chief executive Jolyon Burnett said the story made head-lines across South Korea and boosted popularity of the Australian-grown nut.
Baldivis grower Nick Dobree said the FTA, coupled with increased demand, could put Korea on a par with Japan as a consumer.
"The timing couldn't have been scripted better - it's great news for the industry," he said.
"Currently Japan is one of the big export outlets.
Korea imports about one-tenth of what Japan does.
"There is the potential for sales to South Korea to rise to match what we sell to Japan.
"Production is going up steadily year-by-year and once it's past the point where we can sell locally, we will look at more export opportunities."
WA has an estimated 30 growers across the South West corner.
