Macadamia nut producers in Brazil are anticipating a significant rebound in their harvest this year, with expectations of a 50% increase after suffering an 80% decline the year before. The macadamia tree, native to Australia, requires a specific maturation process wherein the fruit is ready to be harvested even while the outer shell remains green. This year, producers are hopeful that favorable weather conditions will support higher yields compared to the previous year's exceptionally poor results.

The harvesting process is labor-intensive, as it relies on manual picking across expansive areas like a 400-hectare farm recently visited by reporters. The nuts have a unique ripening cycle that lasts about 15 days from maturity to falling off the tree, followed by another week for the outer casing to start splitting. The region of Dois Córregos in São Paulo has become a notable area for macadamia cultivation since the first commercial plantations were established in the 1970s, emphasizing Brazil's growing involvement in the nut market.

Despite the challenges posed by varying climatic conditions, Brazilian producers like Thomas Augusto Magro remain determined to improve their harvest volumes. The renewed optimism reflects not only the resilience of local agriculture in adapting to environmental setbacks but also a broader trend in the global market towards nut consumption, positioning macadamia as a prized and lucrative product in Brazil's agricultural exports.