TopNut brings new genetics and international opportunities to Africa's expanding nut industry
The rapid expansion of tree nut production in South Africa and neighbouring African countries is creating growing demand for improved varieties offering higher yields, better quality and greater profitability. Established in 2022 through a partnership between South African fruit variety specialist TopFruit and macadamia business Agristar, TopNut is helping to introduce and commercialise improved nut genetics across Africa, supporting the development of an increasingly competitive industry.
TopNut was established in response to the growing need for superior tree nut varieties supported by professional intellectual property management, reliable propagation systems and technical expertise.
Although South Africa's macadamia and pecan industries had expanded considerably, production continued to rely heavily on established cultivars. As international competition increased, varieties offering higher yields, improved kernel recovery, earlier bearing and greater disease resistance became increasingly important to growers' profitability.
TopFruit and Agristar recognised an opportunity to combine their complementary expertise. TopFruit, established in 1983, brought decades of experience in plant breeders' rights, varietal evaluation, licensing and international breeder relationships. Agristar contributed practical expertise in nut production, nurseries, processing and marketing.
The resulting company operates independently of individual nurseries, growers and processors, managing the introduction, evaluation, protection and commercialisation of new varieties.
MCT1 provides a promising starting point
TopNut began operations in 2022 with MCT1, an Australian-bred macadamia variety for which it secured the African master licence.
MCT1 is recognised for its early bearing, high production potential and favourable kernel recovery. Under suitable conditions, it can produce commercial crops within approximately three to four years, potentially shortening the period before growers begin receiving returns on orchard investments.
Recognising that imported cultivars must prove themselves under African conditions, TopNut established evaluation and demonstration plantings across different production regions.
By mid-2025, approximately 40,000 MCT1 trees had been planted across South Africa and neighbouring countries, demonstrating growing commercial interest in improved macadamia genetics.
Expanding across Africa
Although headquartered near Simondium in South Africa's Cape Winelands, TopNut's activities extend well beyond the country's borders.
Its African master licence for MCT1 has supported plantings in South Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Eswatini, Mozambique and Zambia.
The company is also developing relationships in Zimbabwe, where representatives have visited growers and nurseries in established macadamia-producing regions, including Chipinge and the Honde Valley.
Further visits to Kenya and Zambia during 2026 have strengthened relationships with commercial growers and nursery operators.
This regional expansion is significant because suitable conditions for macadamia cultivation occur across several countries in eastern and southern Africa. TopNut's approach provides opportunities to introduce promising varieties into these developing production regions, supported by coordinated evaluation, propagation and technical expertise.
A growing portfolio of improved varieties
Since launching with MCT1, TopNut has expanded its portfolio substantially. According to intellectual property business unit manager Anneli Bosman, its 2026 portfolio includes seven A-series macadamia varieties, two pecan varieties, four walnut varieties, an almond variety, a walnut rootstock and a stone fruit rootstock. The diversification reflects opportunities to improve established nut industries while supporting the development of alternative crops.
Pecan breeding is particularly promising. New varieties with improved resistance to pecan scab could enable growers to expand production into higher-rainfall regions where disease pressure has historically restricted commercial cultivation.
TopNut's walnut portfolio includes Potamia Erdin, a Turkish selection attracting interest for its production characteristics and tolerance of warmer conditions. Such developments could open opportunities for walnut production in suitable areas of South Africa and neighbouring countries.
However, careful local evaluation remains essential before introducing new varieties on a commercial scale.
Improved genetics support future growth
TopNut's significance extends beyond the introduction of individual cultivars. As nut production expands across Africa, growers increasingly require varieties that improve orchard productivity, reduce production risks and deliver consistent quality to international markets.
Its licensing and intellectual property management model also provides breeders with incentives to continue investing in research while ensuring growers have access to professionally evaluated planting material.
For South Africa's established macadamia and pecan industries, improved genetics could strengthen international competitiveness and profitability. Across neighbouring African countries, access to suitable varieties and technical expertise could accelerate the development of commercially sustainable nut production.
From its establishment as a joint venture between two South African agricultural businesses in 2022, TopNut has developed into a specialist serving a growing African market. Its expanding varietal portfolio and regional footprint demonstrate the increasingly important role of improved genetics in shaping the future of Africa's tree nut industry.
Sources:
Fruitnet
TopFruit
https://www.topfruit.co.za/about-us/topfruit-affiliated-companies/
TopNut
https://www.topnutgroup.com/about-us
The Macadamia
https://themacadamia.co.za/2023/05/03/the-future-of-the-macadamia-industry