3. 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
7. 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)
11. 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
12.
13.
14. 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
15.
16. Processing
• Three WIS buyers in Guatemala
– 2 operate dry processing plants
– 1 operates a NIS operation combined with Costa Rica
cracking plant
17. 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
