Nut processing
World-class and high-tech
The Valley Macadamia Group’s processing methods have been developed and refined by innovator and disrupter, Alan Sutton. Alan’s career started with one macadamia farm which he has grown into a global business using a unique combination of farming science, business acumen and an unrelenting passion for excellence.
The Group’s unique processing plants are the most sophisticated in Africa. One plant is designed to grade, dry, crack and pack macadamia nuts to the highest ISO 22000 (FSSC - Version 5) and HACCP standards. A second plant processes the nut-in- shell products. Together they handle 10 000 tons per season.
There is also a third high-tech speciality plant, Premier Nut. Under the guidance of a Research and Development team, we can develop and supply speciality macadamia and value-added products, such as flavoured and coated nuts, oils and bespoke packaging to meet our customers’ unique needs.
Our processing methods are designed to assure top quality and freshness. We can also tailor packaging to meet our customers’ unique needs.
Dry nut-in-shell
The majority of our exported macadamia nuts are dry nut-in-shell. The Group’s process includes the following steps.
Kernels
Every stage of the process is designed to ensure optimum quality and freshest end product. Each Kernel goes through several grading inspections. They are then weighed and placed into standard 11.34kg (25 lbs) vacuum liners, flushed with Food Fresh Nitrogen Gas and vacuum sealed to ensure the freshness and fine taste is preserved.
Styles O
95% wholes
>20mm
High quality snack products
Styles 1
90% wholes
16mm - 21mm
Snack products and
chocolate coating
Styles 1S
95% wholes
13mm - 17mm
Chocolate coating nuts
Styles 2
50% wholes
13mm - 15mm
Snack products,
confectionary and others
Styles 4L
80% halves
>15mm
Snack products
Styles 4
50% halves
10mm - 15mm
Baking and snack products
Styles 5
80% chips and pieces
9mm - 12mm
Baking ingredients
Styles 6
80% chips and pieces
5mm - 9mm
Confectionary, baking
and ice cream
Speciality nuts
Due to the high demand for macadamia products in modern, healthy diets and beauty products, we have a Research and Development team at our speciality plant in Mpumalanga. The team is dedicated to developing and producing speciality kernels and macadamia products, such as roasted, flavoured, coated as well as pressed oils.
Our Research and Development team is committed to meeting the needs of our customers. We can develop new macadamia products and flavours to our client's specific requirements.
Currently, Valley Macadamia Group flavours both kernel and nut-in-shell with the following flavours: