Kenya has announced a ban on macadamia nut harvesting effective from November 2, 2024, until March 1, 2025. The decision, made by the Ministry of Agriculture, aims to stabilize market prices and improve quality after a period of significant price drops and oversupply. This follows a rapid assessment showing many local companies are unable to process immature nuts effectively.
In a press statement, Dr. Andrew Karanja, Cabinet Secretary of Agriculture, emphasized that “the move is designed to manage excess stock caused by global market conditions and address quality concerns.” This one-year export window was established after prices for macadamia nuts plummeted from an all-time high of KES 180 per kilogram in 2019 to KES 30-40 in 2023.
The Ministry’s new measures include lifting the one-year export ban on raw macadamia nuts, first imposed in November 2023, but only for processed macadamia kernels. “Exporting kernels is more beneficial than raw in-shell nuts for Kenya,” Dr. Karanja said. He also confirmed that farmers must sell their stock for a minimum price of KES 100 per kilogram, a measure designed to protect smallholders.
Dealers will have until November 15, 2024, to submit their documentation for stock inspection and clearance. The ban, according to Karanja, “ensures that the new harvests begin with quality nuts ready for processing,” helping Kenya maintain its competitive edge in the global market.
The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has also been tasked with increasing inspection efforts to prevent illegal harvesting and exporting. The AFA will focus on enforcing compliance with the Crops Act of 2013 and removing unscrupulous dealers from the market.
