Macadamia lobby groups in Kenya clash over exports ban

• The tussle comes at a time that the harvesting period for mature macadamia nuts in Kenya has just started since 1st March, 2025.
• Lobby MACNUT and macadamia farmers have called for the regulation of selling prices across the nation.
• However, the Nut Traders Association of Kenya (NUTAK) contends that an onging ban disproportionately favours processors.

Kenya’s macadamia sector is in turmoil following a ban on raw macadamia imports, ripening nuts, and ongoing disputes over the industry’s future. Stakeholders are at a crossroads, with two rival lobbies clashing over export policies. While the government enforces the ban to boost local processing, industry players remain divided on its impact.

Macadamia Nut Association (MACNUT) declared support for the government’s ban on exporting unprocessed nuts, while The Nut Traders Association of Kenya (NUTAK) contends that the ban disproportionately favours processors.

According to MACNUT the move to stop raw imports could inject over $80 million (Sh10.34 billion) into the economy and create 30,000 jobs. The tussle comes at a time that The harvesting period for mature macadamia nuts in Kenya has begun in March 2025.

“We urge the government to maintain its policy on raw macadamia exports to protect local processing industries. This action is vital for ensuring the long-term sustainability of the sector, safeguarding jobs, and maintaining Kenya’s competitive edge in the global market,” MACNUT stated in a statement.

However, the Nut Traders Association of Kenya (NUTAK) contends that the ban disproportionately favours processors and is nibbling away at government revenue. They argue that the plight of traders with containers of nuts languishing in warehouses, awaiting export licenses is bad for the sector and the economy.

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Macadamia Lobby Groups in Kenya Clash

NUTAK chairperson, Johnson Kihara, on the other hand claims the delay to allow exportation of the in-shell nuts to the international market was denying the government billions of shillings in revenue as a container was charged KES53,000. MACNUT Association chairperson, Jane Maigua, explained that the government of Kenya had lost $20 million (Sh2.5 billion) from export as raw unprocessed nuts in shell.

She noted that raw nut exports primarily benefit traders, limiting job creation and farmer income, and are often linked to unethical practices like underreporting export volumes and selling substandard nuts.

“There are reports of traders colluding with unscrupulous farmers to bypass regulations, resulting in the sale of substandard or unripe nuts that do not meet international quality standards. This not only jeopardizes Kenya’s reputation in the global market but also diminishes the potential earnings for farmers who invest in quality production,” the association noted in the statement.

Kenya currently ranks third globally in macadamia production and revenue but faces risks to its market position due to internal disputes. The industry seeks to protect farmers’ incomes, enhance local value addition, and create jobs.

Last week, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe reaffirmed the government’s ban on raw in-shell nut exports, saying it’s a commitment to industry regulations under the Agricultural Food Authority (AFA) Act and the Oil Crops (Nuts and Crops) Regulations of 2020.

Speaking at a meeting with macadamia stakeholders on Thursday 27, Kagwe stressed that industry growth requires a unified approach rather than efforts to overturn the ban. He urged stakeholders to focus on turning challenges into opportunities through compliance and collaboration.

Going forward, The Macadamia Nut Processors Association of Kenya (MACNUT) and macadamia farmers have called for the regulation of selling prices across the nation amid claims of exploitation from middlemen.

Maigua added that they will adhere to Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe’s directives to ensure that the macadamia industry is streamlined. “There has been exploitation from various types of middlemen who peddle lies to the media so that they can continue benefiting from the chaos they create,” she noted speaking in Diani on Thursday.

“No farmer should sell less than the government guided prices. The CS directed that nobody should by and sell for less than a Ksh.100.”