Macadamia farmers will be able to export their produce for at least another six months following the government’s decision to extend the grace period for exports.
Agriculture CS Andrew Karanja announced that the ministry would consider further extensions after requests from senators and farmers.
“We will review the situation and implement a six-month extension while engaging in public participation,” he stated on Thursday.
Karanja made the remarks during a meeting with the Senate Agriculture Committee, led by Kirinyaga Senator James Murango.
The government had previously lifted the export ban on macadamia nuts for one year, set to end on November 2, due to significant losses faced by farmers, who reported selling nuts for as low as Sh10 per kilo.
These losses were linked to the volatile global market affected by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and currency fluctuations.
Under Section 43 of the Agriculture and Food Authority Act, 2013, local farmers cannot export the nuts without written approval from the agriculture cabinet secretary.
Karanja clarified that the ministry did not intend to extend the export period to protect farmers from exploitation by brokers.
“The ban on the export of nuts in shell should not extend beyond November 2, 2024, but we can revisit it in case of an oversupply, as outlined in the AFA Act, 2023,” he said.
He explained that exporting raw macadamia nuts conflicts with government policy aimed at promoting local manufacturing and utilizing existing processing infrastructure.
“The nuts are primarily sent to China, which acts as a processing hub rather than a final market,” Karanja added.
However, the committee pressured him to extend the period to allow for farmer input.
Murango warned that lifting the ban in November, during the harvest season, would lead to significant losses for farmers.
“Public participation will take time. Implementing the ban now would negatively impact those who have brought their nuts for export,” he noted.
He highlighted that macadamia processors often profit excessively by purchasing nuts from farmers at prices as low as Sh30 per kilo.
Committee vice chairman Alexander Mundigi advocated for a minimum one-year extension to help farmers recoup their investments.
“We’re prepared to engage in public participation. We ask the ministry for another year. If you visit Embu today, farmers will ask for the permanent lifting of this ban,” he asserted.
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua emphasized that the decision to lift the ban permanently should reflect the wishes of the farmers through public participation.
Kenya has about 200,000 small-scale macadamia farms located in Embu, Meru, Machakos, Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Taita Taveta, Tharaka Nithi, Baringo, Murang’a, and Nyeri.
Counties such as Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Bungoma, Kakamega, and Nandi are also increasing their macadamia production due to high global demand.
These farms collectively produce approximately 41,000 tonnes of in-shell nuts, accounting for about 20 percent of global supply.
Processing companies are expanding operations in Murang’a, Embu, and Taita Taveta, with more than 30 industries currently purchasing nuts from farmers, primarily for export processing.
