The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has announced an immediate ban on the transit and export of raw macadamia nuts through Kenya in a move aimed at strengthening the local nut processing industry. The ban, which targets both in-shell and unprocessed macadamia nuts whether wet or dry is in accordance with the Crops Act, 2013 and the Crops (Nuts and Oil Crops) Regulations, 2020.
According to AFA Director General Bruno Linyiru, the ban applies regardless of the country of origin. “No raw macadamia nuts may be exported through or from Kenya. Exporters from foreign states intending to trade in raw macadamia are advised to use alternative foreign ports of exit,” he said.
This decisive move follows a spate of interceptions of raw macadamia consignments at various Kenyan border points, which the authority suspects were intended to bypass local value addition policies by being routed through the country.
The new directive seeks to promote domestic value addition by ensuring that raw nuts are processed within Kenya before being exported. This is expected to support local farmers and processors, boost industrial development, and create more jobs in the agricultural value chain.
Macadamia farming is a vital economic activity in Kenya, with the country ranking third globally in production. It is a high-value export crop grown mainly in Central, Eastern, and Coastal regions, with Embu, Meru, and Tharaka Nithi counties leading in production. Kenyan macadamia nuts are globally renowned for their quality, commanding strong international demand.
Despite its strengths, the macadamia industry faces challenges such as price fluctuations, limited processing capacity, and the need for better quality control measures. The new ban is anticipated to stabilize local prices and increase profitability for smallholder farmers, who are the backbone of the sector.
Kenya accounts for 13% of the global macadamia supply, and with international demand projected to grow, the government hopes this policy will enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the country’s nut industry.
For further inquiries, stakeholders can contact the AFA through info@afa.go.ke.
