Kenya’s macadamia nut industry is making a concerted push to grow domestic consumption, which currently accounts for a mere 5 percent of the 63,000 metric tonnes produced annually. The rest of the high-quality nuts are exported, positioning Kenya as the third-largest global exporter after South Africa and Australia.
Speaking at the National Macadamia Conference in Embu County, Mathias Muinde, General Manager of Macadamia Operations at Kakuzi, emphasized the need for a collaborative approach among stakeholders to unlock the domestic market potential. “Kenyan Macadamia competes in the same league as South African and Australian produce. All the value chain stakeholders need to work together to at least double the local consumption of our quality macadamia,” Muinde said.
With only about 3,150 metric tonnes currently consumed locally, the industry is targeting an ambitious increase to 6,000 metric tonnes. This will require investment in innovative value addition strategies aimed at making macadamia more appealing and accessible to local consumers.
Among the strategies proposed is the development of diverse macadamia-based products such as ready-to-eat snacks, cold-pressed cooking oils, gluten-free flour, organic manure, and biomass fuels made from nut shells. These value-added products could not only enhance consumption but also increase earnings across the supply chain.
The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), which hosted the conference, underscored the importance of empowering smallholder farmers. Providing them with improved agronomic training and better post-harvest handling techniques will be vital in maintaining the high quality of the nuts while reducing wastage.
Promoting macadamia as a healthy, locally produced superfood could also help reshape consumer perception and create a sustainable domestic market. Stakeholders are optimistic that with the right investments in marketing, product diversification, and farmer support, local demand for macadamia can grow significantly.
As the global market becomes increasingly competitive, Kenyan macadamia processors believe that strengthening the domestic market will provide a critical buffer and ensure long-term industry resilience. The shift toward local value addition not only promises economic gains but also supports the broader goal of inclusive agricultural growth.
