The international nut and dried fruit sector has taken a significant step forward in aligning global sustainability efforts, with the launch of the INC Sustainability Institute for Nuts & Dried Fruit. Announced at the 2025 INC Congress in Spain, the initiative was developed by the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC) to drive long-term, responsible growth and deliver positive impact across the sector.
A certification tailored to the nut and dried fruit sector
The new INC Sustainability Certification is a powerful B2B tool that will enable the nut and dried fruit industry to recognise business partners engaged with sustainable production. It seeks to address a key challenge for the sector: the absence of a globally recognised, industry-specific sustainability benchmark. While many existing schemes are generic in nature or regionally focused, the INC Certification sets a clear, practical and measurable standard developed by nut and dried fruit industry experts.
The certification is intended to validate and amplify existing efforts already underway in many parts of the industry. According to INC Executive Director Goretti Guasch, the program “turns intention into action and action into impact,” offering businesses a clear, data-driven snapshot of their current performance and a roadmap for continuous improvement.
Where Australian macadamias fit in
For the Australian macadamia industry, the launch of the INC Sustainability Institute and Certification aligns closely with its ongoing commitment to environmental care and social responsibility.
Australia’s macadamia trees are largely grown in the locations where they naturally evolved more than 60 million years ago, meaning it is a crop that has naturally adapted to its environment. This natural advantage and inherent resilience sets a strong foundation for sustainable production and is further enhanced by targeted and ongoing investment in research, technology and regenerative agriculture.
The responsibility to produce the world’s best macadamias as eco-sensitively as possible is felt and shared by everyone from the largest operators in the processing sector right through to new growers navigating their first season. Australia’s macadamia growers remain committed to conserving the natural resources on which their product relies, and now more than ever, are prioritising the protection of water, soil, air, native vegetation and wildlife. Key initiatives include:
Strengthening the industry’s global impact
By supporting sector-wide efforts such as the INC Sustainability Institute, the Australian macadamia industry reinforces its long-standing belief that sustainability is not just a trend, it’s a business imperative.
Whether it’s through data-led orchard management, ecosystem preservation or embracing biodiversity, Australian growers and processors are aligned with many of the principles the new certification sets out to promote. These practices are not only delivering healthier, more productive orchards but also reinforcing macadamias’ position as a premium product grown with care and respect for nature.
