South Africa’s macadamia industry is shifting its approach to grower engagement this spring. Moving away from a single, centralized conference, Macadamias South Africa (SAMAC) has announced its new MacDay on the Road 2026 regional roadshow. The highly anticipated series of intensive, full-day events will travel directly across the country’s four major growing regions throughout September:
Mpumalanga: 8 September 2026 | The Capital Mbombela, Nelspruit
Limpopo: 10 September 2026 | The Ranch Resort, Polokwane
KwaZulu-Natal: 17 September 2026 | Premier Splendid Inn, Umhlanga (Durban)
Western Cape: 22 September 2026 | ANEW Resort, Wilderness
As South Africa continues to lead the global macadamia sector, SAMAC CEO Lizel Pretorius emphasizes that this leadership is forged by on-farm resilience through increasingly difficult seasons. The goal of the regional roadshow is to bridges the gap between everyday orchard trade-offs and macro-level international market positioning. Crucially, attendance is entirely free for registered growers, while non-growers can secure placement for R1,250 per person.
What the Sessions Will Cover
The specialized program deliberately avoids abstract theory to deliver highly practical, interactive value across four cornerstone sessions:
Strategic Direction & Input Control: Drawing on critical insights fresh from the 2026 International Dried Fruit and Nuts (INC) Congress in Macau, this session will break down current macro trends—including how global consumer food choices are shifting. Analysts will provide realistic financial strategies to help growers optimize tight farm budgets against rising production costs.
Technical Excellence: Agronomists and researchers will unpack localized field protocols. This includes soil health management, data-driven irrigation techniques, and targeted crop protection models to combat evolving regional pest and disease pressures.
Market Access and Diversification: Growers will receive vital updates on international trade dynamics, including SAMAC’s high-level diplomatic lobbying for zero-tariff status into India. Presentations will focus on shifting macadamias from a basic “snack nut” to a premium ingredient in global culinary and manufacturing sectors, alongside compliance guidelines for European Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and end-to-end traceability.
Upcoming Agricultural Events & Festivals: August – November 2026
Regional AGM & Open Floor Discussions: A dedicated, collaborative platform where growers can participate in vital collective governance, debate upcoming statutory levy renewals, and utilize advanced data tools like the SAMAC Integrator to anonymously benchmark crop yields against regional averages.
Securing the Industry’s Future
Ultimately, MacDay on the Road is about unity and actionable data. In a shifting global market where isolated farming is no longer viable, this roadshow ensures that every regional producer has direct access to the tools, research, and high-level strategy required to keep their orchards globally competitive. Space is limited per venue, making early regional registration essential.