Agriculture and Livestock Development CS Mutahi Kagwe, among other leaders, on February 27, 2025/ HANDOUTMacadamia Nut Processors Association of Kenya (MACNUT) and macadamia farmers have refuted claims the government policies on the nut have resulted in a price drop from Sh150 to Sh90.
MACNUT chairperson Jane Maigua said the government policy will help farmers and the industry at large in making sure no farmer is getting below 100 shilling per kilo of macadamia.
“The narrative being spun is by brokers who had huge stocks of raw macadamia ready for export,” she said.
Maigua spoke on Thursday in Diani, Kwale, after a 3-day workshop to review the directive by Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe.
The association called upon the farmers to come together and back the government in making sure there is no selling of unprocessed macadamia, which will help create jobs locally.
She urged the farmers to beware of the unscrupulous dealers in the industry who want to take advantage of the farmers by creating chaos.
The farmers have been asked not to sell immature macadamia, which will jeopardise the Kenyan quality, hence poor pricing and in worst cases be banned from the European markets.
The harvesting season for mature macadamia nuts for 2025 begun on March 1, 2025.
CS Kagwe noted that the current ban on export of all raw and in-shell nuts is retained, saying the government‘s policy stance is well meaning and informed by a commitment to ensuring that the industry adheres to the law.
Kagwe said that this is as enshrined in the Agricultural Food Authority (AFA) Act, the Oil Crops (Nuts and Crops) Regulations of 2020, and various other national, regional, and international obligations.
The CS noted that the move will not be achieved with a group pushing for export of in-shell nuts but through a unified and holistic approach to turn the threats into opportunities.
He asked all macadamia farmers to register under the Kenya Integrated Agricultural Management System (KIAMIS) so the government, farmers, development partners, and the private sector are better able to plan for the sector.
“AFA shall coordinate with the county governments to support farmers rollout and formation of groups for the sector through such initiatives as the e-Extension service, subsidised fertiliser and real-time market information, and an organised farm base will make it easier to engage and support them,” he said.
Speaking on Thursday, Chair Agriculture CECM’s Caucus in Kenya (47 counties) James Muturi said the ban of export of raw macadamia to the Chinese market must be enforced by both the national and county governments.
He said the move will encourage farmers to produce more nuts since the capacity by local processors is higher than what is currently produced.
This, he said, will positively impact the economy through value addition.
