Australia's exports in luxury macadamia nuts could soon be reaching Indian shores following a change in import rules, the Australian Broadcast Corporation (ABC) reported.

India's inspection authorities have changed the pest control measures from insisting the nuts must be fumigated to allowing them to enter the country providing they are heat-treated.

Australian Macadamia Society representative Jolyon Burnett, said the industry needed to research the market well.

"India will take a lot of work, it's not a market that knows macadamias well but it's one that loves its nuts," he was quoted as saying.

He told the ABC that India's burgeoning middle class was a particularly important market for the sector.

"We're looking forward to being able to getting access and this phytosanitary arrangement is a very important first step."

The Australian macadamia industry is currently worth AUD$180 million (US$185.6 million) in exports, and more trees have been planted to produce nuts for new markets.

It is estimated that the Indian market could be worth as much as AUD$3 million (US$3.1 million) a year.

Photo: nutsonline.com

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