Completed project
Sustainable and healthy nuts for life (HN22001)
This project strengthened awareness, understanding and consumption of nuts through the Nuts for Life nutrition education program.
Completed project
Macadamia pollination gap analysis and industry opportunities (MC24002)
Publication date: April 15, 2025
Delivery Partner: Australian National University (ANU)
© 2026 Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited.
This project gathered compiled and assessed knowledge on macadamia pollination and practice in Australia and other leading producer countries. A central output was an online research compendium - accessible to growers online via the Hort Innovation and Australian Macadamia Society website. The work also highlighted opportunities for future research, including international and cross-industry collaborations.
Challenge
Australian Macadamia growers primarily rely on pollination by managed honeybees, feral honeybees, and native wild insects to produce crops (HA21005). However, the recent establishment of the Varroa Mite poses a significant threat to the feral honeybee population and is expected to raise the cost of pollination services that use managed honeybees, putting pressure on current production systems.
Response
The project team conducted a thorough review of published scientific literature, supported by industry surveys and qualitative interviews, to capture current practices and perspectives on macadamia pollination in Australia. The resulting research compendium consolidates this knowledge in a single, accessible resource for growers.
An assessment of the information gathered was also undertaken, forming the basis for a pollination gap analysis and identifying opportunities for future research and development.
Benefit
The project equips the Australian Macadamia industry with a clear understanding of the current state of pollination knowledge and practices. It supports the goals of the Australian Macadamia Industry Strategic Investment Plan (2022-2026), specifically in securing pollination by enhancing honeybee health, mitigating pest and disease threats, and exploring alternative pollinators.
By identifying knowledge and practice gaps, the project offers strategic direction for future investment, R&D, and collaboration – helping ensure a more resilient and sustainable macadamia industry in the face of emerging pollination challenges like Varroa Mite.
Related industries
This project was a strategic levy investment in the Hort Innovation Macadamia Fund
