Trade CS Moses Kuria has lifted the ban on the exportation of raw macadamia for one year.
The CS who spoke while in Kirinyaga on Monday said the move will help stabilise the prices that have sunk to as low as Sh20 per kilogramme.
He said the ban had been placed by the government to promote local processing, boosting industrialisation and in turn creating employment opportunities for Kenyans.
Kuria said the opening up of markets will also ensure farmers are cushioned from what he termed as exploitation from traders.
“If you pay someone Sh20 how will they take their child to school? How will they buy food?” he paused.
According to Kuria, the suspension of the ban will attract buyers from all over the world thus allowing farmers to sell their nuts at higher prices.
Macadamia nuts are mainly grown in the Central part of Kenya such as Muranga, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Embu and Meru.
These are the places where the tree was first introduced when it came into Kenya.
With time, the tree has spread to other areas of the country such as Bungoma, Kakamega, Kitale, Machakos and Taita Taveta.
Last month, Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi promised macadamia farmers a solution to their ongoing price crisis within a week.
The CS said he has constituted the Board of Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) to find a solution to the lack of macadamia market within the county.
Farmers had been urged to hold on to their products, which is not perishable good, for at least 10 days awaiting the AFA direction.
"Don’t sell your Macadamia at Sh20 to brokers and allow us to give the way forward after 10 days. I don’t want the farmer’s products to go to waste due to low cost, thus through the AFA board, I’ll ensure we get the right terms,” he said.
Farmers in Embu have been forced to sell their macadamia for as low as Sh20 per kilo.
