MACADAMIA cultivation expanded over 12,000 acres across Myanmar. Shan State is the largest producer of mac­adamia, followed by Kachin State, Chin State and Manda­lay Region, according to the Myanmar Trade Promotion Or­ganization under the Ministry of Commerce.

Macadamia nuts are har­vested twice a year in Ywangan Township, Shan State, in spring and autumn.

The General Administra­tion of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) announced on 22 September phytosanitary requirements for macadamia nuts via its web­site. China gave the green light to the import of Myanmar’s macadamia nuts processed locally through peeling, drying and sorting process, GACC’s announcement.

China identified four quarantine pests: Trogoder­ma granarium, Mikania mi­crantha, Cenchrus echinatus and Chromolaena odorata. Hard shell nuts need to be dehydrated using drying ma­chines. They must be free from pests and impurities. The mac­adamia nuts with physical dam­age, like cracking or mouldy nuts and shells and weed seeds must be removed during the processing stages.

The Ministry of Agricul­ture, Livestock and Irrigation will inspect the macadamia nuts designated to be exported to China, whether they comply with China’s import standards in farming, processing and storage facilities. Those busi­nesses that meet standards and criteria will be forwarded to the GACC for registration. Macadamia nuts must be packed in clean and hygienic materials in accordance with food safety and plant quar­antine standards to prevent leakage during shipping. Be­fore shipping, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation will also check the transport vehicles not to con­tain pests, weed seeds, insects, plant debris, soil and other contaminants, with a view to meeting hygiene and quaran­tine requirements. — NN/KK