The ban on macadamia exports in Kenya has left 25,000 tonnes of nuts unsold. Farmers and traders are now calling for a six-month suspension to access markets in China and Russia.

Ban on Macadamia Exports in Kenya Under Section 43

Macadamia farmers and traders from the Mt Kenya region have accused the government of failing to protect them. They say restrictive regulations are worsening losses in the sector. Growers are being exposed to exploitation by middlemen. The farmers are now calling for urgent policy changes.

The traders spoke under the Nuts Traders Association of Kenya (NUTAK). They were led by Chairman Johnson Kihara. They faulted Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe and leaders from the Mt Kenya region. They accused them of continued neglect of the challenges facing macadamia farmers.

The main problem is a law that restricts the sale and export of unprocessed nuts. This law is Section 43 of the regulations introduced in 2013. It has suppressed the market by banning trade in in-shell macadamia. As a result, there is a buildup of unsold stock across the region.

Farmers Sitting on Sh5 Billion Worth of Unsold Nuts

Kihara said about 25,000 metric tonnes of macadamia are currently lying in stores. This stock is valued at roughly Ksh5 billion. Farmers cannot sell because there is no market access. The nuts are just sitting there, losing value every day.

“After doing my research, I found 25,000 metric tonnes which if bought with the price the CS is saying, is about Ksh5 billion,” Kihara told journalists in Sagana on Saturday, June 6, 2026.

He called on the national government to suspend Section 43 of the law for six months. This would allow consultations to take place. It would also facilitate access to international markets where demand for unprocessed macadamia nuts is high. China and Russia are particularly interested in buying in-shell nuts.

“We are requesting the Ministry of Agriculture to suspend section 43 or give us at least a period of six months so that the farmers can sell the produce in their farms,” Kihara said.

Farm Gate Prices Have Collapsed

The meeting in Sagana brought together macadamia traders and farmers from seven counties in the Mt Kenya region. Kihara urged leaders to heed farmers’ concerns and lift the ban on the sale and export of raw macadamia nuts.

According to him, the farm-gate price of macadamia has dropped from Ksh150 to Ksh50 per kilogram. This drop is exposing farmers to exploitation by middlemen who are allegedly linked to large processing companies. Farmers who once earned a decent income are now struggling to break even.

NUTAK Secretary Eddy Mark Gitonga said the market for in-shell macadamia nuts is larger in China and Russia than in Europe and the United States. He called on the government to liberalise the sector. All traders should be allowed to access international markets, not just a select few.

“Currently the farmer is selling macadamia at Ksh50 per kg so I believe after the lift of the ban on shell macadamia will be selling for more than a hundred shillings per kilo,” said Gitonga.

Leaders Accused of Betraying Farmers

Another trader, Stephen Juma from Embu, accused Members of Parliament and Senators from the Mt Kenya region of failing to protect the interests of macadamia farmers. He said they allowed oppressive and punitive laws to pass in Parliament.

“It appears like our members of parliament were compromised by processors to pass section 43 because it is not meant to favor our farmers,” Juma said.

The traders also opposed a government proposal requiring macadamia farmers to join cooperative societies. They argued that many farmers lost their savings through such societies during the 1970s and 1980s. Those cooperatives collapsed, and money was lost. Farmers went back to selling to middlemen.

“Our fathers had formed societies in the 70s and 80s and then they collapsed and money was lost. That is when we went back to selling our products to middle men,” John Mugo said.

Government Signals Possible Policy Review

There is now hope for farmers. The Ministry of Agriculture has indicated that it may allow the export of unprocessed nuts. Farmers and traders welcomed this news. They said a review of the restrictions could revive a sector that has been struggling with falling prices and limited market access.

Their optimism follows engagements with Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe. They said they had presented evidence to him showing huge stocks of macadamia nuts lacking buyers. This is despite repeated assurances from processors that markets would recover.

“We are waiting for the CS next week to either remove Section 43 or give us six months so that farmers can sell their produce and stop the losses they are currently facing,” Kihara said.

He said after presenting photographs and reports from farms and warehouses to Kagwe, a ministry team was dispatched to assess the situation on the ground. The team established that more than 18,000 tonnes of macadamia had no market. These findings were subsequently submitted to the ministry.

Unpaid Debts and New Market Opportunities

Kihara also raised concerns over unpaid debts owed to farmers by some processors. He said some of the outstanding payments date back to 2023. Stakeholders have agreed to collect and submit relevant documents to AFA. This will establish the extent of the debts and ensure affected farmers receive their dues.

He said apart from China, countries such as Russia also import in-shell nuts that are baked. This presents opportunities for Kenya to expand its market for the produce.

“We want clear rules and regulations agreed upon with all stakeholders so that farmers know the prices they will receive and investors know the conditions under which they can operate,” he said.

Farmers argued that the ban on raw macadamia exports has reduced competition in the market. It has locked out international buyers. It has left growers at the mercy of a few local processors. They claimed that while neighbouring countries continue attracting investors willing to pay higher prices for macadamia, Kenyan farmers have seen returns decline sharply.

Speaking during the meeting, Embu-based farmer and trader Stephen Juma accused the government of introducing policies that discourage investors from entering the Kenyan market.

“Create policies that allow farmers to earn at least two dollars per kilogramme like farmers in Tanzania and Uganda instead of telling us to sell at Sh100,” he said.

The ban on macadamia exports in Kenya has created a crisis. Farmers are losing money. Traders cannot find buyers. Processors are struggling to absorb the supply. The government is now under pressure to act. A six-month suspension of Section 43 could provide immediate relief. It would allow farmers to sell their stock to international buyers. It would bring in much-needed foreign exchange. It would restore confidence in the sector.

The country entered into a free trade agreement with China that took effect on May 1 this year. The agreement is expected to significantly boost exports of local agricultural produce. Tea, coffee, fresh and frozen avocados, macadamia nuts, flowers, fresh horticultural produce, vegetables, herbs and other farm commodities were listed among the key beneficiaries.

However, macadamia traders said they have been locked out of this opportunity because of the continued ban on the export of raw nuts. Farmers are forced to hawk their produce in local markets due to lack of buyers. This cannot continue. The government must act. Farmers are waiting. The nuts are ready. The markets are open. The only thing missing is the political will to remove the ban.

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