Macadamia in Myanmar: Market demand for Macadamia seeds and its oil increasing

The Macadamia nut is famous as the best nut in the world because of its buttery taste and crunchy texture. Macadamia nuts are indigenous to Australia and they are medium- sized evergreen trees. The plantation of Macadamia is growing in Myanmar for high demand from local and foreign markets.

Soe Thein, Seller, Medicines and consumer products distribution said "In local, people who learn about macadamia nuts on the internet and contact person are mostly used it.  The growers in rural areas still do not know the benefits of macadamia and have not been able to find it on the internet. Also the macadamia fetches high price. Macadamia contains unsaturated fat and it protects people from heat-disease, hypertension and diabetes. Also eating the macadamia can reduce stress and prevents Alzheimer’s disease. I have been planting macadamia and also selling the seedlings."

The 1 viss macadamia seeds can produce about 60 tical of oil. Currently, the price of macadamia oil is about 40,000 kyats per 1 liter in the market.

Win Oo, Grower, Naung Cho Township said "We did not know that the macadamia can crush and produce oil. We started produce oil in this year. Macadamia oil is healthy and can also use as an ingredient in cosmetics.  Amazingly, it produces 2 folds of oil than the peanuts."

Khon Thein Shuu, Grower, Nyaung Shwe Township said "The production of Macadamia products in Vietnam is remarkably improved and their government also provides the necessary supports. We have been learning the techniques and trying to produce the macadamia products like Vietnam."

In Myanmar, the macadamia plantations is expanded in certain regions and is mostly grown in Shan state, Mandalay Region, Sagaing Region, Chin and Kachin States.