Kakuzi Plc has unveiled its new macadamia oil processing plant, marking a significant milestone in the company’s strategic move towards revenue and product diversification. The state-of-the-art facility boasts a daily extraction capacity of 1,000 litres, underscoring Kakuzi’s commitment to enhancing its product portfolio and tapping into new markets.
In addition to the oil processing plant, Kakuzi’s Macadamia Processing Plant has an impressive installed capacity of 2,000 tonnes of saleable kernel (SK), making it one of the largest in the region. This expansion solidifies Kakuzi’s position as a leading player in the agribusiness sector.
Speaking at the launch, Kakuzi Plc Chairperson Mr Nicholas Ng’ang’a highlighted the company’s evolution from a traditional farm enterprise to a sophisticated international agribusiness. He emphasized that the new plant is a part of Kakuzi’s broader strategy to boost the local consumption of superfoods such as avocados, macadamias, and blueberries.
“At Kakuzi, we are strategically investing in resources that can facilitate shared prosperity for all our stakeholders. With the new macadamia oil processing plant, we hope to more than double macadamia consumption locally with a positive ripple effect across the value chain,” said Ng’ang’a.
To support this goal, Kakuzi is investing in value-added initiatives, including the Macadamia Oil Plant and the Kakuzi Farmers Market, an enterprise hub that fosters partnerships with other entrepreneurs. This approach aims to create a model of shared prosperity and enhance the local agricultural economy.
Kenya, ranked as the third-largest producer of macadamia globally, sees Kakuzi as the largest single-estate macadamia grower in the country. The launch of the macadamia oil plant is expected to create new opportunities for Kenyans to experience the benefits of this versatile product.
Kakuzi’s journey into macadamia cultivation began in 2007, converting fields previously used for coffee and pineapple crops. Today, their macadamia orchards span over 1,379 hectares, providing more than 1,200 jobs in rural areas. This number is projected to double as the orchards mature in the coming years.
Kakuzi Managing Director Mr Chris Flowers described the launch of the macadamia cold press plant as a significant achievement for the company. “This is part of our operating strategy to meet the growing demand for value-added products within our superfoods portfolio and, at the same time, to provide decent job opportunities for rural communities,” Flowers said. He added, “If we are to raise farmers’ incomes, then we must concentrate on high-value international and domestic markets in equal measures.”
As part of Kakuzi’s commitment to sustainability, the company is exploring the use of macadamia shells for energy generation, recognizing their potential as a source of activated carbon. This initiative is part of Kakuzi’s broader goal to become carbon neutral.
Macadamia nut oil offers a lucrative opportunity for farmers to maximize the value of their harvests. Despite Kenya’s significant production of macadamia, domestic consumption remains low. Kakuzi aims to change this by promoting the use of macadamia products locally, creating new market opportunities for farmers, and driving economic growth.
Recently, Kakuzi launched a range of consumer products for the domestic market, including ready-to-eat macadamia, gluten-free macadamia flour, macadamia cereal mix, and blueberry packs. Kakuzi’s macadamia oil is now available at selected retail stores and online, offering versatile uses such as deep frying, cooking, and salad dressing.
The launch of the new macadamia oil processing factory marks a significant step for Kakuzi, promising to enhance local consumption, support farmers, and contribute to the country’s economic development.
