Kenya’s Agriculture and Food Authority Announces Seasonal Closure for Macadamia Harvesting
The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has officially announced a seasonal closure on the harvesting and trade of domestically produced macadamia nuts. The directive, issued through the Nuts and Oils Directorate, takes effect from 1st December 2025 to 15th February 2026, and applies to all players in the macadamia value chain including processors, exporters, importers, and marketing agents.
According to the Authority, this decision follows findings from a recent macadamia phenological survey conducted across Kenya’s key production zones. The survey revealed that a significant portion of the macadamia crop is still undergoing physiological development and has not yet reached full maturity.
The temporary closure aims to align harvesting and processing practices with the natural maturity trends of macadamia nuts. AFA emphasized that allowing adequate time for the crop to mature will enhance kernel quality, oil content, and shelf life, which are critical in maintaining Kenya’s reputation as a global supplier of premium macadamia products.
“The seasonal export closure is intended to allow adequate time for the crop to attain full maturity and to ensure that all exports meet the required quality standards,” the Authority stated.
AFA further reiterated that the ban on the export of raw, in-shell macadamia nuts remains in force, as part of ongoing measures to promote local value addition and job creation within the country’s processing sector.
The Authority assured stakeholders that it will continue to monitor macadamia maturity trends and make any necessary adjustments to the closure period if required. Stakeholders are encouraged to seek clarification or further guidance through the official communication channels, including the email info@afa.go.ke.
Macadamia Industry Outlook
Kenya’s macadamia industry has grown rapidly over the past decade, becoming one of the country’s key agricultural export earners. However, challenges such as premature harvesting have affected both quality and international competitiveness. The latest move by AFA is expected to help address these challenges by enforcing stricter standards that protect farmers’ incomes and ensure that exported macadamia meets the premium quality demanded by global buyers.
The Agriculture and Food Authority, established under the Crops Act of 2013, continues to play a central role in developing, promoting, and regulating scheduled crops in Kenya. Through sector-specific directorates such as the Nuts and Oils Directorate, AFA ensures compliance with quality standards and promotes fair trade practices within both domestic and export markets.
The directive was signed by Dr. Bruno Linyiru, OGW, Director General of the Agriculture and Food Authority, and comes as part of ongoing reforms aimed at stabilizing the macadamia value chain, improving farmer incomes, and enhancing Kenya’s competitive edge in the global nuts market.
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