Episode 8: Secrets of the world’s biggest macadamia processing plant

Meet the Co-op Farmers

Marquis Macadamias CEO Larry McHugh takes us on a fascinating farming journey on the far north coast of Australia. This is the story of a group of growers who were not able to sell their crop for a reasonable price, so a few of them got together and decided to create a co-op and the rest was history. The company now processes and markets to sell all the macadamias from the growers here around the world.

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Episode Notes:

From small beginnings, Marquis Macadamias has grown into a huge co-operative enterprise, and long-time CEO Larry McHugh tells renowned agriculture journalist Pete Lewis all about that journey, as well as their recent major rebranding and restructure to become the biggest macadamia processing plant in the world. The farmer-owned co-operative grows, processes, and sells almost half of Australia’s macadamia production, as well as 22% of the world’s kernel sales and 16% of the international nut in shell sales, what they describe as the world’s finest nut. This is a story of innovation and success, and how a small number of individuals, with a vision for something greater, created world-leading scale together.

In this fascinating podcast series, you will hear from real farmers who are successfully using co-operative farming business models. Through their stories and real-life experiences, you will learn how this positive farming model changes lives.

Links & Resources:

• Listen to all podcasts – https://coopfarming.coop/podcasts/
• Watch Peter Lewis interview Larry McHugh – https://coopfarming.coop/coop-conversations/episode-3-part-1-interview/
• Watch Pete Lewis discuss how co-operatives add value with the Hon. Karen Andrews MP, Larry McHugh, Matt Rutter (Geraldton Fishermen’s Co-operative), Simon Stahl (Casino Food Co-operative), Michael Hampson (Norco) and Melina Morrison (BCCM). https://coopfarming.coop/coop-conversations/episode-3-part-2-roundtable/
• Want to find out more about Marquis Macadamias – https://marquis.com/
• Find out more about co-op farming – https://coopfarming.coop/
• Contact the Meet the Co-op Farmers Podcast team – https://coopfarming.coop/contact/

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