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Processing of Canarium indicum nuts: adapting and refining techniques to benefit farmers in the South Pacific

Project ID:
FST/2006/048: Processing of Canarium indicum nuts: adapting and refining techniques to benefit farmers in the South Pacific
Collaborating Countries:
Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu
Commissioned Organisation:
University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia
Project Leader
Dr Helen Wallace
Phone: 07 5430 1228
Fax: 07 5430 2881
Email: hwallace@usc.edu.au
Collaborating Institutions:
  • National Agricultural Research Institute, Papua New Guinea
  • Hidden Valley Plantations, Australia
  • Macro Agribusiness Consultants Pty Ltd, Australia
  • Department of Forests, Vanuatu
  • Kava Store Anabrou/Pacific Nuts Co., Vanuatu
Project Budget:
$651,776
Project Duration:
01/01/2008 - 31/12/2010
ACIAR Research Program Manager
Dr Russell Haines
Project Overview

Canarium indicum nuts are marketable products with great potential to improve the livelihoods of rural households in the South Pacific. At the moment the Canarium nut industry is small in world terms, but there is strong consumer demand and acceptance of the product in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. In these countries there is great potential for expansion of the domestic markets and developing an export market. A major constraint to increased commercialisation of the C. indicum industry is poor quality of the nuts due to postharvest handling and processing.

This project is aimed at the development of post-harvest handling and processing techniques that optimise quality, while being appropriate for small-scale agriculture. The project will take advantage of expertise and experience in the Australian macadamia industry.