President Cyril Ramaphosa’s less-than-stellar performance at the White House earlier this year has cost South Africa’s economy dearly.
By failing to persuade US President Donald Trump to exempt the country from his escalatory import tariffs, at least 22 high value South African industries and businesses are severely exposed, potentially costing thousands of people their jobs and significantly cutting much-needed export income.
And while Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen and Department of Trade, Industry and Competition Head Parks Tau jet off to the East to look for alternative markets – we are apparently now exporting apples to Thailand for the first time in 16 years – the domestic macadamia industry is keeping a watching brief, thanks to bad weather in Australia.
Noted agriculture writer Lindi Botha reports how a smaller-than-expected global crop due to hard-hitting cyclones – just as the Australians were about to start harvesting – has translated into a supply squeeze and a lift in demand.
Australia’s macadamia customers have turned to South Africa for supply, and buyers who thought it prudent to wait until the tariffs were set in stone before placing their orders, have found little in the way of available stock.
South Africa’s harvest is also lower than expected and adverse weather is also getting the blame. But as industry notable Alex Whyte quipped, “the timing couldn’t have been better!”
Trump’s truculence does, however, have industry players uncertain on what the future might hold, despite Tau’s efforts to offer incentives for US poultry, pork and blueberry imports, expected to land in the country in upcoming weeks.
While some pundits agree new markets are a possibility, perhaps the macadamia sector will mimic the avocado sector – reportedly so resilient it believes it can remain competitive in the US even at a 30% import tax – as South Africa’s high-quality macadamia crop remains in demand by American consumers. It’s a game of wait-and-see.
On the brighter side, a former fuel-tanker driver is speeding along the highway to becoming South African’s next commercial macadamia farmer, and Wayne Atherstone’s orchards, which were devastated by last year’s freak tornado, are heading for recovery.
An in-depth article on how to provide conducive habitats for working bee colonies is a must-read, as is how Cape youngster, Juan Fourie, scooped the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Jeunes 2025 Chef’s Competition with macadamia flavour and flair.
Fourie has generously included one of his award-winning recipes for readers to try at home.
Finally, The Macadamia wishes SAMAC every success as delegates gather at the Zimbali resort outside Durban for the organisation’s annual industry day deliberations.
