Raw macadamia nuts: Kenya is a key producer and ranked third largest globally./KMA
The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has today issued a notice prohibiting the export of raw and unprocessed macadamia nuts, whether wet or dry.
AFA Director General, Dr. Bruno Linyiru, in a statement, said that in the recent weeks, several consignments of raw macadamia nuts alleged to be in transit through Kenya have been intercepted at various border points.
These interceptions, he notes, are in line with Kenya’s continued enforcement of the Crops Act, 2013, and the Crops (Nuts and Oil Crops) Regulations, 2020, which aim to safeguard the local nut processing industry and promote value addition within the country.
“The Authority emphasizes that no raw macadamia nuts may be exported through or from Kenya, regardless of country of origin, and that exporters from foreign states intending to trade in raw macadamia are advised to use alternative foreign ports of exit and to refrain from routing raw macadamia produce through Kenya,” he warned.
Dr. Linyuru added that this measure aims to support local farmers and processors by promoting domestic value addition through local processing and industrial development.
Any member of the public and stakeholder who requires any clarification may contact the Authority through [email protected],” the statement said.
Kenya is a significant macadamia producer, ranking as the third largest globally. The country's macadamia production has seen rapid growth in recent years, with a large portion of it coming from smallholder farmers.
Retail prices for a 250 g pack range from Sh313 to Sh745, while the wholesale prices for raw nuts can range from Sh150 per kg.
Key macadamia-growing counties include Embu, Meru, Kiambu, Tharaka Nithi, Murang'a, Kirinyaga, and Nyeri.
