Kenya has lifted the ban on the export of raw macadamia nuts for 30 days, offering producers such as Kakuzi PLC a chance to ship the produce to key market destinations that offer better returns.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Dr. Andrew Karanja, the Agriculture and Food Authority, a unit that regulates the crop sector, has established that there are adequate macadamia stocks held by various licensed processors and exporters that require urgent sale.

"The intervention will enable verified stocks being held by various exporters to be cleared for export," Karanja said.

On Tuesday, Dr. Karanja visited fruit exporter Kakuzi PLC, an agribusiness company that ships both avocado and macadamia produce to overseas markets.

The CS noted that the fresh directive will allow the export of raw (in-shell) macadamia nuts for 30 days, starting Wednesday, 4 December 2024.

Largest macadamia orchards

"We are the largest producer of avocados in Kenya, and also have the largest macadamia orchards in the country, now totaling over 1,350 ha. In our quest to be the leading producer of responsibly and sustainably grown superfoods we have recently embarked on the first large scale commercial trial of blueberry's in the Country,” explained Nicholas Ng'ang'a, the Board Chairman, Kakuzi PLC, on X (formerly Twitter)

Last week, the World Macadamia Organisation (WMO) Chief Executive Officer Ms Jillian Laing said the organisation is working to increase market demand and consumption in India, China, and the US.

She noted that the organisation is leveraging the positive health attributes of macadamias to continue to drive consumer demand globally.

According to WMO data, Kenya is currently ranked as the number three leading nut-in-shell and kernel Macadamia exporter, with an expected market delivery of 44,000 metric tonnes by the close of this year. On the top position, South Africa is on track to deliver more than 88,000 metric tonnes, closely followed by Australia with a 50,830 metric tonnes forecast.

She added, " As the supply of macadamias has been increasing worldwide, product developers need easy access to information, and the industry requires clear guidelines and information to meet market expectations, which we continue to deliver.”

In the medium term, global Macadamia supply is forecast to increase from 345,700 tonnes this year to 560,000 tonnes in 2029, a compound annual growth rate of 10.2 percent.

Currently, Nairobi Securities Exchange and London Stock Exchange-listed Kakuzi is taking the lead in making cold-pressed macadamia oil as part of its production diversification. The processor is embracing value addition, bringing onboard macadamia nuts from honey-coated to roasted and unroasted.

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