For the annual season that ended June 30, Hawai'i macadamia nut growers rebounded from their worst output in 23 years during the prior season, with a 22 percent gain in production, according to a federal report.

Farmers produced an estimated 50 million pounds of quality nuts in the recent season, up from 41 million pounds in the 2007-08 season, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

The average price per pound of nuts paid to farmers was also up, to 67 cents from 60 cents, which gave the industry a total estimated production value of $33.5 million last season compared with $24.6 million in the prior season.

Even with the rebound, though, total production was on the low side for the past 10 years, ranging from 50 million pounds to 58 million pounds, excluding the 2007-08 season.

The 2007-08 season was plagued by bad weather and a pest called the koa seed worm.

Last season, there were timely rain showers, but ruined nuts remained a big problem.

National Agricultural Statistics estimated that processors rejected 10 million pounds of nuts last season. More than half the losses were attributed to immature, moldy or rotten nuts. Insect damage also was a significant cause. A year earlier, only 7 million pounds of nuts were rejected.

Demand was up for nuts last season, but some farmers reported to the agency that it wasn't economically feasible for them to pick their crop, and that they may temporarily stop farming or switch to farming other commodities.

Over the past three years, 17,000 acres statewide have been planted in macadamia trees, about 1.2 million trees in all. That's down from about 20,000 acres a decade ago.