Marquis Macadamias has taken out one of the country’s top honours, winning the 2025 Australian Export Award for Agribusiness, Food and Beverages.

The local site at Alphadale, established in 1983 under the former Macadamia Processing Co-operative (MPC), became the foundation of what would eventually form the Marquis Group.

While the company now operates major processing facilities in both Queensland and northern NSW, the Lismore plant remains its original home base. The site still processes locally grown nuts, employs more than 100 seasonal workers and receives supply from over 200 growers across the region.

Today, Marquis is one of the world’s largest grower-owned macadamia businesses, processing up to 28,000 tonnes of nut-in-shell annually and delivering premium kernel, oil, paste and flavoured products to markets across Asia, Europe and the United States.

For CEO Ben Adams, the award is recognition of decades of dedication from farmers, staff and regional communities.

(Photo: supplied)

“Australia is home to the world’s leading macadamia growers and processing expertise,” he said. “Macadamias are one of the few native Australian foods successfully commercialised and exported globally - a true national success story.”

“We want our legacy to be a viable and sustainable Australian macadamia industry that delivers premium prices for our growers and premium products for our customers.”

Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan attended the ceremony in Canberra in his role as Shadow Minister for Trade, Investment and Tourism. He said it was “a proud moment to see a Northern Rivers co-operative recognised on the national stage.”

“I had a great chat with Steven Lee, their Chief Operating Officer, on the night,” Mr Hogan said. “The passion he has for the industry, and for the team back at home really shows. This award is a testament to the growers, staff and everyone involved in building Marquis into what it is today.”

“When you’re in a room full of Australia’s top exporters, and one of our own is being honoured, it means something. This recognition doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built on decades of hard work from our community.”

The award also comes as new regional economic data highlights the importance of agriculture to the Northern Rivers. The Northern Rivers Economic Profile and Natural Hazard Impacts report notes the region’s agricultural sector remains one of its top three contributors to Gross Value Added and is known for “world-leading produce like macadamias, avocados and sugar cane”.

The report estimates the Northern Rivers generated $22.8 billion in Gross Regional Product in 2024, with agriculture, forestry and fishing accounting for 8% of total GVA - a significant contribution in a region with a diverse economy spanning health, education, tourism and manufacturing.

It also identifies more than 4,800 agriculture-related businesses operating across the region, highlighting how deeply farming and its associated industries are embedded in the local economic landscape.

Marquis has also recently expanded its global footprint, playing a central role in the inaugural Australian Macadamia Festival in Mumbai, a two-week culinary showcase that helped introduce Australian macadamias to the Indian market.

For Lismore, this national recognition is a reminder of the region’s resilience and our ability to create products that compete on the world stage.