National Residue Survey 2024–25 Macadamia

Online version

Key points

• In 2024–25, the overall compliance with Australian standards was 98.7%
• Australian macadamia producers continue to demonstrate a high degree of good agricultural practice.
• The National Residue Survey’s quality management system (QMS) is certified to ISO standard 9001:2015.

The macadamia residue monitoring program

The macadamia residue monitoring program is a cooperative arrangement between the National Residue Survey, the Australian Macadamia Society and macadamia processing plants. Since 1996, the program has been funded by the NRS component of the statutory levy on macadamia production.

The program involves the testing of Australian macadamia for a range of chemical residues and environmental contaminants, which ensures the macadamia industry can meet quality assurance and market access requirements for domestic and international markets.

Sample collection

Samples are collected at macadamia processing plants in accordance with NRS procedures. 100 to 150 samples of macadamia nuts are collected from 8 processing plants located in northern New South Wales and Queensland. Once collected, samples are freighted to the contract laboratory for analysis. All sample data collected is entered into the NRS Information Management System and residue testing result reports are automatically generated for the macadamia processing plants.

Analytical screens

Analytical screens are developed in consultation with the industry and take into account chemicals registered in Australia, chemical residue profiles and overseas market requirements.

Macadamia samples are screened for a range of insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and environmental contaminants, as shown in Table 1.

Results

In 2024–25, a total of 159 macadamia samples were collected for analysis. The results were compared with the Australian standards and where appropriate, relevant international standards.

A summary of Macadamia compliance rates against the Australian MRL standards over the past 10 years is provided in Table 2.

The results highlight excellent compliance with Australian standards and demonstrate the strong commitment of the macadamia industry to good agricultural practices. The excellent compliance rates help maintain the reputation and integrity of Australian macadamia nuts in international and domestic markets.

The 2024–25 financial year datasets for the macadamia program are located on the department’s website.

Laboratory selection and performance

The NRS contracts laboratories to analyse plant product samples for pesticide residues and environmental contaminants.

Laboratories are selected through the Australian Government procurement process based on their proficiency and value for money. Laboratories must be accredited to international standard ISO/IEC 17025 at commencement of testing.

Contracted laboratories are proficiency tested by the NRS to ensure the validity of their analytical results and technical competence.

The NRS has been accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities as a proficiency test provider since July 2005.

International export markets

The NRS maintains information on maximum residue limits (MRLs) that apply to Australia and major export markets for industries supported by the NRS. All analysis results are checked for compliance with Australian standards and relevant international MRLs.

For the relevant Australian MRL standard - https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2023L01350/latest/text. 

MRL standards for various international markets are available at agriculture.gov.au/nrs-databases.