Where Precision Meets Scale
At the heart of Golden Macadamias sits our world-class processing facility, one of the largest
single
macadamia processors globally. Located in Alkmaar, Mpumalanga, within South Africa's premier
macadamia
belt, we set the benchmark for food safety, efficiency, and export excellence.
Advanced sorting, cracking, drying, and quality control technologies ensure every nut is handled
with
precision and transparency. Our systems preserve quality and unlock value from delivery to dispatch.
More than a factory, it's a grower-owned investment in excellence, delivering consistent quality to
the
world's most discerning buyers.
Committed to Responsible &
Sustainable Operations
Environmental stewardship is woven into every aspect of our facility operations. From renewable energy integration to water conservation and waste reduction, we're building a processing operation that protects the land and communities that make our success possible.
Our sustainable initiatives
100% Grower Owned.
Powered by Purpose.
Golden Macadamias is proudly 100% owned by our growers, the very people who cultivate, nurture, and
deliver
the quality nuts that fuel our business. Our shareholders are not investors from afar, they are
macadamia
farmers located across South Africa and Southern Africa, from the subtropical Lowveld to the rolling
hills
of KwaZulu-Natal and beyond.
Their commitment to quality, sustainability, and community is the foundation on which Golden Macadamias
is
built. Each shareholder plays a vital role, contributing to the strength of the organisation and the
future
of the industry. Without our growers, there would be no Golden.
The Step-by-Step Journey
of a Macadamia Nut.
Environmental stewardship is woven into every aspect of our facility operations. From renewable energy integration to water conservation and waste reduction, we're building a processing operation that protects the land and communities that make our success possible.
It starts here
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Between February and July, ripe macadamias naturally fall to the orchard floor when ready. Farmers collect these fallen nuts daily or multiple times per week using manual or mechanical methods. This prompt collection is crucial, any delay exposes nuts to moisture, pests, and fungal growth that can compromise quality and reduce their commercial value.
-
Between February and July, ripe macadamias naturally fall to the orchard floor when ready. Farmers collect these fallen nuts daily or multiple times per week using manual or mechanical methods. This prompt collection is crucial, any delay exposes nuts to moisture, pests, and fungal growth that can compromise quality and reduce their commercial value.
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De-husked nuts undergo initial air or bin-drying to reduce moisture content to 10-12%. This on-farm drying in ventilated bins or racks prevents mold growth, improves shelf life, and prepares the product for more controlled drying processes at the processing facility.
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Growers transport their NIS to Golden Macadamias' processing facility in Alkmaar. Upon arrival, deliveries are registered and a representative sample is drawn for quality grading and payment assessment. This sampling process determines the financial return to the grower based on quality metrics.
Golden Macadamia Facility
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A comprehensive 20kg sample is extracted from each delivery, representing the entire truckload. This sample undergoes testing for size distribution, kernel recovery rates, and defect levels. The transparent assessment ensures fair payment, and growers must approve the results before their nuts proceed to processing.
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NIS enters temperature and humidity-controlled drying bins where moisture content is carefully reduced to below 1.5%. This precision drying process takes 14-21 days and is essential for achieving crisp, high-quality kernels while preventing spoilage and ensuring long-term storage stability.
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Specialized equipment cracks the shells with precision to extract kernels while minimizing breakage. Air separation and vibrating tables remove shell fragments, ensuring clean kernel recovery. This gentle handling process maximizes whole kernel recovery, which is crucial for achieving premium grades.
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Extracted kernels undergo final drying to reach 1.5% moisture content or lower. They're then conditioned in resting bins to stabilize and equalize moisture levels across batches. This conditioning ensures consistent texture, optimal shelf life, and uniform quality throughout each batch.
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Kernels are graded by size and style, then subjected to rigorous quality control using color sorters, lasers, x-ray systems, and trained visual inspectors. Every kernel is examined for foreign matter, discoloration, mold, or insect damage. This multi-stage sorting ensures the stringent quality standards demanded by premium customers.
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Graded kernels are vacuum-packed or nitrogen-flushed in food-grade packaging to preserve freshness and prevent oxidation. Each package is labeled with size, style, grower batch information, and traceability codes before storage in temperature-controlled warehouses awaiting shipment.
Export & Distribution
Final products are dispatched globally through NDX, our dedicated sales and marketing arm. Shipments are customized to meet specific customer specifications, market requirements, and compliance standards, ensuring Golden Macadamias reach the world's most discerning buyers with quality intact.
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