The government plans to introduce a guaranteed minimum farm gate price of at least Sh100 per kilogram for macadamia, following a sharp decline in prices to Sh30 to Sh40 per kilogram in 2023.
As part of efforts to stabilize the industry, a ban on macadamia harvesting will be enforced until March 2025.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Andrew Karanja, speaking on Tuesday, said that the harvesting and export of immature macadamia nuts have hurt Kenya’s global reputation, leading to poor performance in the international market.
He noted that exporting processed macadamia nuts offers more value to the country than raw, in-shell exports.
“After consultations with industry stakeholders, we will impose a ban on macadamia harvesting from November 2, 2024, to March 1, 2025, to prevent the export of immature nuts,” Karanja said.
He also directed dealers to submit their current stock for inspection and verification by the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA).
The CS added that AFA will intensify inspections and surveillance to detect unscrupulous dealers in the macadamia trade.
Kenya’s macadamia industry is heavily export-oriented, with about 95% of production sold to international markets.
In 2019, farm gate prices for macadamia peaked at Sh180 per kilogram, prompting a previous ban on the export of raw nuts in November 2023.
“A minimum guaranteed farm gate price of at least Sh100 per kilogram will be implemented.”
