Macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts suppliers and sourcing guide
Macadamia nuts are the kernels of Macadamia integrifolia, M. tetraphylla and their hybrids, trees first grown in Australia and now farmed in Australia, South Africa, Kenya, Hawaii and Central America. Nuts are dehusked, dried in the shell, cracked and sorted, and the kernels are graded by size into wholes, halves and pieces. Brands buy raw or roasted kernels, diced pieces, macadamia butter or flour.
- Category
- Food staples and powders
- Also known as
- Macadamia integrifolia · Macadamia tetraphylla · macadamia kernels · bush nut · Queensland nut
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of macadamia nuts
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Raw kernels by style
Sold by industry styles from wholes and halves down to chips and fine pieces; smaller styles cost less and suit baking and bars.
Dry-roasted or oil-roasted
Roasted, sometimes salted kernels for snacks and inclusions; roasting changes color and shortens shelf life once opened.
Diced and meal
Cut to a set size range or ground coarse for coatings, baked goods and granola.
Macadamia butter and flour
Ground kernels as a paste, or a partly defatted flour left after pressing oil.
Organic
Kernels from certified organic orchards, sold under organic certification.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Moisture
- Kernel moisture, usually kept low (around 1.5 percent or less) by in-shell drying; higher moisture speeds rancidity and mold.
- Peroxide value and free fatty acids
- Titration results that show oxidation and hydrolysis of the oil, the main quality loss in storage.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, coliforms, E. coli and Salmonella; ask whether the kernels had a validated pasteurization step.
- Aflatoxins
- Total aflatoxins and aflatoxin B1 by HPLC or LC-MS/MS, as for other tree nuts.
- Grade and defects
- Style (size) distribution, foreign material, shell fragments, and kernels with discoloration, mold or insect damage.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Kernels are high in oil and go rancid with heat, light and air, so they are shipped in nitrogen-flushed or vacuum-packed cartons and kept cool and dry, often chilled. Reseal opened cartons and keep them away from strong odors. Shelf life comes from the supplier's spec for the packaging and storage temperature.
Lots and expiry dates
Style mix, moisture, peroxide value and color change between lots and crop years, so record the style and origin and check oxidation results on each COA. Rotate first-expiring lots first (FEFO), since roasted and diced kernels oxidize faster than whole raw kernels.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
FDA's food allergen guidance lists macadamia nut/bush nut (Macadamia spp.) in its table of tree nuts FDA considers major food allergens.
Source: fda.gov (opens in a new tab)The EU Novel Food Catalogue entry for Macadamia integrifolia records use in Member States as foodstuffs, for both the oil and the nut.
Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Macadamia nuts suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking macadamia nuts suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell macadamia nuts? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of macadamia nuts can brands buy?
Common forms include raw kernels by style, dry-roasted or oil-roasted, diced and meal, macadamia butter and flour and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for macadamia nuts include?
Expect moisture, peroxide value and free fatty acids, microbiology, aflatoxins and grade and defects, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should macadamia nuts be stored?
Kernels are high in oil and go rancid with heat, light and air, so they are shipped in nitrogen-flushed or vacuum-packed cartons and kept cool and dry, often chilled. Reseal opened cartons and keep them away from strong odors. Shelf life comes from the supplier's spec for the packaging and storage temperature.
What is the regulatory status of macadamia nuts?
FDA's food allergen guidance lists macadamia nut/bush nut (Macadamia spp.) in its table of tree nuts FDA considers major food allergens. The EU Novel Food Catalogue entry for Macadamia integrifolia records use in Member States as foodstuffs, for both the oil and the nut.
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