Embu macadamia nut farmers decry low prices

Macadamia nuts farmers in Embu have urged the government and private institutions to increase prices to match the skyrocketing cost of living and farm inputs.

They said macadamia farming has evolved and farmers have to use inputs unlike before when the plant used to grow on its own until maturity.

Farmers said both brokers and companies are buying a kilo of macadamia at an average price of Sh70 to Sh100.

Speaking to the Star on Tuesday, Silas Njeru a farmer in Runyenjes said the prices are not matching the cost of living.

Njeru said the prices have been dropping since the 2017-18 season.

“We have improved in macadamia farming compared to earlier when we did little to maintain macadamia trees. But the prices have been dropping from Sh250 per kilo to Sh100 and below,” he said.

“I request the nearby factories and other companies dealing with macadamia to increase the prices to at least Sh250 per kilo.”

He said the increasing competition in macadamia nuts factories within Embu should see farmers enjoying the best out of their macadamia trees.

According to the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries in 2020, Kenya was the third top producer of macadamia contributing 13 per cent of the global market.

In 2018 macadamia earned the most valuable export product after tea in Kenya.

Kenya Agriculture and Food Authority said in 2018 Kenya recorded 42,000 tonnes of macadamia nut-in-shell and with an increased acreage the production might rise to 60,000 tonnes.

Alfred Mwaniki from Kibugu in Embu West said in 2018 a kilo of macadamia was Sh230 but since then the prices dropped.

He said farmers have shifted to macadamia farming lately after coffee and tea had lost their glory due to low prices.

Mwaniki urged the institutions concerned with pricing to ensure macadamia regains its value more so now that the cost of living is shooting each day.

“I used to sell a kilo of macadamia at Sh250 in 2018 but as of today a kilo barely goes for Sh100. If we'd resume to the actual prices of Sh200 and above per kilo, this would boost our lives,” Mwaniki said.

Silas Mwangi a macadamia nuts field officer in Embu said the prices have been altered by low-quality production catalysed by immature harvesting.

Mwangi said this led to lowered prices as the quality lacks international standards.

“Our market has been affected by the production of low-quality nuts caused by immature harvesting thus leading to low prices in the market,” he said.

Mwangi said the Covid-19 invasion affected the global market, leading to altered prices.

Embu is dominated by small-scale macadamia nuts farmers who produce both hybrid and indigenous breeds.

The farmers are currently on verge of completing their February-March harvesting.

Macadamia nuts are mainly used in the manufacturing of oil products.

The main influencers in macadamia nuts production in Kenya are the Agriculture and Food Authority, Kebs, the Nuts and Oil Crop Directorate and county governments.

Edited by Kiilu Damaris