Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting Kenya’s macadamia.
The CS Kagwe said that the ban on export of raw macadamia (in-shell) will remain in place to safeguard more than 200,000 jobs and boost local processing.
He emphasized that lifting the ban would hurt the macadamia value chain, contradicting the government’s push for value addition and local industrial growth. The move, he said, will help revitalize the nuts and oil value chain.
“Between July 2023 and February 2025, Kenya earned Sh8.7 billion from exporting 10,670 tons of processed macadamia, compared to Sh2.3 billion from 14,384.6 tons of raw macadamia,” CS Kagwe said.
The CS added that processed macadamia fetches Sh816 per kg, far higher than Sh161 per kg for in-shell nuts.
“We are focused on supporting farmers and processors rather than lifting the export ban. Farmers will be assisted in forming cooperatives within their counties to negotiate better prices and will be incorporated into the Kenya Integrated Agricultural Management System (KIAMIS) for access to government subsidies, processors and exporters will enter into contractual agreements with the farmers, witnessed by both the county and the national governments” CS Kagwe added.
A minimum guarantee price of Ksh 100/kg will also be implemented, alongside protective measures for local processors against unfair competition. Additionally, training programs will be rolled out to enhance production techniques, quality control, and international market access.
“Formation of a multi-stakeholder Macadamia Nuts Standing Committee to deliberate on farm gate prices and develop a mechanism to determine farm gate prices to avoid farmer exploitation. This may be achieved through collaboration with county governments and the key value chain players. The
CS Kagwe reaffirmed the government’s commitment to empowering farmers, strengthening value chains, and ensuring global competitiveness for Kenya’s agricultural exports.
