The MACNUT Association of Kenya has responded to concerns raised by the Nut Traders Association of Kenya (NUTAK) over the Agriculture and Food Authority’s (AFA) decision to deny export licenses for raw macadamia nuts, reaffirming its support for the ban and highlighting its economic and environmental benefits.
Kenya ranks as the fourth-largest producer of macadamia nuts globally, with a 13% market share and a processed kernel output of 7,750 tonnes. The sector plays a vital role in Kenya’s economy, supporting approximately 200,000 smallholder farmers. Production has risen from 11,000 tonnes of nut-in-shell (NIS) in 2009 to 45,000 tonnes in 2023, and projections by AFA estimate an increase to 63,000 tonnes of NIS by 2027.
According to MACNUT Chairperson Jane Maigua, the government’s decision to reinstate the ban on raw macadamia exports on November 2, 2024, is a “strategic move” that aligns with national economic goals. “Value-added and processed nuts provide more comprehensive benefits to the Kenyan economy,” she stated, emphasizing that local processing creates jobs, generates higher revenues, and strengthens Kenya’s market presence in key regions such as Africa, the USA, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Conversely, Maigua warned that exporting nut-in-shell benefits only traders while depriving farmers and the country of potential earnings. “The export of nut-in-shell primarily benefits traders, resulting in limited job opportunities, lost revenues, and the exploitation of farmers,” she noted.
MACNUT also raised concerns over malpractices linked to raw nut exports. The association accused some traders of underreporting export volumes and colluding with unscrupulous farmers to bypass regulations, leading to the sale of substandard or unripe nuts. “This not only jeopardizes Kenya’s reputation in the global market but also diminishes the potential earnings for farmers who invest in quality production,” Maigua stated.
The environmental impact of exporting raw nuts was another key issue highlighted in MACNUT’s statement. “The sheer number of trees that must be cut down to dry the unprocessed nuts poses a serious threat to our forests and biodiversity,” Maigua warned, noting that deforestation exacerbates climate change and disrupts local ecosystems.
Supporting the government’s policy, MACNUT urged authorities to uphold and enforce the ban. “We laud the government and urge it to maintain the law that restricts exports of unprocessed macadamia nuts in their shells in order to assure the growth of the sector and protect local processing investments,” Maigua stated, adding that over 35 local companies have invested in value-added processing.
To further support farmers, MACNUT announced initiatives aimed at reducing exploitation by middlemen. “We are actively working to roll out scaling up support for farmers by enhancing direct sourcing from them, providing training on good agricultural practices, and integrating pest management,” Maigua revealed. Other measures include expanding access to high-yielding seedling varieties from South Africa and Australia and exploring credit financing options for farmers.
The association also sounded the alarm on illegal trading activities, citing reports of smugglers stockpiling unprocessed macadamia nuts for potential reintroduction into the market. “This ill-intentioned move poses a significant risk of adulterating raw materials when the buying season begins on March 1st,” Maigua cautioned, calling for stricter enforcement against illegal traders.
MACNUT reiterated its commitment to supporting Kenya’s macadamia sector in line with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. “If the ban is upheld, the processing and export of value-added macadamia nuts could contribute over USD 80 million (more than KES 10 billion) to the Kenyan economy, create 30,000 jobs for young men and women, and sustain over 200,000 households,” Maigua stated.
While acknowledging NUTAK’s concerns, MACNUT maintained that a holistic approach is necessary to protect farmers, processors, and the national economy. “The future of Kenya’s macadamia industry hinges on local value addition, which is critical for its growth and prosperity,” Maigua concluded.
