Agriculture Ministry Bans Macadamia Harvesting to Curb Immature Nut Exports
Kenya’s macadamia industry is largely export-driven, with around 95% of production destined for international markets.
The Ministry of Agriculture has announced a ban on macadamia harvesting from November 2, 2024, to March 1, 2025, in an effort to prevent the export of immature nuts. The decision, made public by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Andrew Karanja, follows consultations with key industry stakeholders.
Karanja stated that the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) will enforce the ban through increased inspections and surveillance. He warned that violators could face license revocations.
“Strict measures will be taken to ensure compliance and unscrupulous dealers will be targeted,” said Karanja.
Kenya’s macadamia industry is largely export-driven, with around 95% of production destined for international markets. Karanja noted that farm gate prices for macadamia nuts in shell (NIS) reached Sh180 per kilogram in 2019 but fell to Sh30–Sh40 per kilogram by early 2023.
To support farmers and stabilize prices, the ministry lifted a previous ban on raw macadamia exports, allowing a one-year export window starting November 3, 2023. This was authorized under Section 43 of the AFA Act 2013 to address global market challenges.
“This intervention was necessary to help farmers deal with excess stock and to stabilize the declining prices,” Karanja added.
The CS expressed concerns about the negative impact of exporting immature nuts on Kenya’s reputation in global markets, citing an industry assessment that showed many local processors are facing a shortage of quality nuts.
He emphasized the importance of exporting processed macadamia kernels instead of raw nuts, saying it would bring more economic value to the country.
To enforce the ban, all dealers must submit their current stock for inspection and verification by November 15, 2024. Additionally, a minimum farm gate price of Sh100 per kilogram will be implemented.
Karanja assured that both national and county governments would cooperate to enforce the Crops Act, 2013, and the Crops (Nuts and Oil Crops) Regulations, 2020.
Meanwhile, macadamia farmers have called for legal amendments to limit the Agriculture CS’s powers on raw nut exports. They are also advocating for a price control board to regulate the macadamia export market, which they believe will help eliminate cartels that contribute to low prices.
In other news, the AFA has directed all marketing agents dealing in mangoes to register with the authority by October 28, 2024. This move aims to improve Kenya’s mango exports to markets such as the Middle East, the Netherlands, the UK, and Italy. The authority also requires that mango farmers, exporters, and processors work exclusively with registered agents.
“This step addresses farmers’ complaints about non-payment by some traders,” said the AFA’s Director of Horticultural Crops.
The registration process will be conducted at AFA offices in Nairobi, Kibwezi, Machakos, Kitui, Yatta, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Mombasa. Exporters are also required to apply for physical inspections of mango consignments to avoid delays due to overlapping avocado and mango harvest seasons.
