Guatemalan Macadamias

Industria Guatemalteca de Macadamia, S.A. Carlos Nottebohm

International Macadamia Symposium Australia 2012

Source: http://www.ezilon.com/maps/north-america/guatemala-road-maps.html

Guatemalan Macadamias

• Elevation – Most macadamias are cultivated between 2,000 ft and 4,500 ft (609-

1,371 meters) above sea level.

• Rainfall – Consistant rainfall patterns in Guatemalas macadamia producing

areas is not only plentiful but varied. Annual averages range from 60 to 236 inches (1,500-6,000 millimeters) falling within a well defined rainy season, June-October.

• Temperature – Very little variation in temperature throughout the year, with an

average high between 26-30° C and an average low of 15-19°C.

• Soils – Rich volcanic soils with abundant organic matter

Weather

Producing Areas

Source: ANACAFE

Macadamia Plantings

• About 1,200,000 trees planted in the country

• Total area under cultivation is estimated at 9,000 hectares

• 90% of the macadamia farms are also coffee farms

• Densities: – 15x8, 10x10, 10x8 (meters)

– New plantings: 10x4, 15x4 (meters)

Coffee & Macadamia

Production & Flowerings Annual Cycle

Varieties

• Most began with Hawaiian varieties – For example: 246, 333, 344, 508, 660

• After variety trials and production performance, farmers are now mostly planting – 333, 508, G2, G4 (local varieties), Caro (Costa Rican variety)

• Continue to monitor various different varieties to evaluate quality and production

Harvesting & Dehusking

• All hand picked

• Average person picks 150-200 lbs (75-90 kgs) daily

• Average moisture received at processing plant 23%

• Dehusked within 12 hrs by tire and scroll dehuskers

– Average about 5,000 lbs (2.3 MT) per hour NIS

• Water sorting year round

• NIS buyer will pick up weekly on farm to keep quality acceptable

Processing

• Three WIS buyers in Guatemala

– 2 operate dry processing plants

– 1 operates a NIS operation combined with Costa Rica cracking plant

Our biggest concerns

• Wind Damage – In January 2008, Guatemala lost between 80,000 – 100,000 trees in 24 hrs

• Nutrition to improve WIS to Kernel yield

• Phytophthora and Rosellinia

Phytophthora

Rosellinia

Year

MT's lbs MT's lbs MT's lbs

WIS (10 % MC) 7,185 15,840,000 8,082 17,817,846 10,636 23,447,069

Kernel 1,388 3,060,000 1,561 3,442,084 2,055 4,529,548

2022 (est.)2015 (est.)2012 (est.)

Future Crop Estimates

Macadamia Nut Gasifier

• 500 kw Generator

• Consumes Macadamia Shells

• Approximate Gas Composition: • CO - 19+ 3% H2 – 18+2%

• CO2 -10+3% CH4 – Up to 3%

• N2 -50%

Thank you

• For additional information, please contact:

– Industria Guatemalteca de Macadamia, S.A.

– ag@ag.com.gt

– +(502) 2386-5700