A macadamia export ban review in Kenya has been proposed to clear growing stockpiles. Farmers are holding large volumes of nuts because processors lack capacity to buy them.

Macadamia Export Ban Review in Kenya

Farmers Cry Out as Nuts Pile Up in Stores and on Farms

Macadamia growers in Kenya have renewed calls for government intervention to address challenges in the sector. They are proposing a possible temporary suspension of the ban on exporting raw macadamia nuts. The goal is to help reduce growing stockpiles of unsold produce.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) at KALRO Seeds in Thika, Mt Kenya Macadamia Cooperative Society chairman Gitonga Gathua said growers are facing serious difficulties. Processors and traders are unable to purchase nuts from growers because of limited processing capacity.

“We had a very good meeting called by AFA to discuss the current teething problems affecting the macadamia sector and the bottlenecks existing within the value chain,” said Gathua.

Processors Cannot Keep Up with Production

He noted that many growers continue to hold large volumes of macadamia nuts in storage and on farms. The market simply cannot absorb what farmers are producing. Processors are running at full capacity, but it is not enough.

“Farmers are crying because a lot of nuts are still lying in stores and on farms. Statistics shared by AFA indicate that a significant portion of the current produce is still with farmers, yet they need to sell and get money,” he said.

The situation is urgent. Farmers have invested time and money in growing and harvesting their nuts. They need to sell to pay school fees, buy food, and prepare for the next season. But the buyers are not coming.

Macadamia Export Ban Review in Kenya

Two Proposals on the Table

Stakeholders discussed a number of proposals during the meeting. The first proposal involved government-backed commodity financing. This would enable cooperatives to purchase produce directly from growers before supplying processors.

The second proposal involved the temporary suspension of the ban on exporting in-shell macadamia. The ban was imposed months ago to promote domestic processing and value addition. But now, with stockpiles growing, farmers are asking for a temporary reprieve.

Gathua said recommendations from the meeting would be submitted to the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture. The key proposal is to suspend the ban for at least six months.

“It has been extensively discussed, and suggestions have been made that it may be useful to suspend the ban for at least six months to clear the backlog,” he said.

Mould Threatens Quality as Nuts Sit in Storage

He also warned that prolonged storage could affect product quality. Nuts that sit too long can develop mould. Mouldy nuts are unsafe for consumption. They cannot be processed or exported. Farmers would lose everything.

“The farmers are crying and need to sell their produce. The longer the nuts remain in stores, the more they risk getting mouldy, which will affect both farmers and processors,” he added.

The macadamia export ban review in Kenya is not just about money. It is about preventing waste. It is about protecting the quality of Kenya’s macadamia crop. It is about ensuring that farmers do not lose their harvest to rot.

Government Acknowledges the Problem

Acting AFA Director of the Nuts and Oil Crops Directorate John Athola acknowledged the challenges facing growers. He said efforts are underway to improve market access and financing.

“We are aware of the challenges facing macadamia farmers, especially the struggle to secure reliable markets for their produce. The government is working on providing adequate financing to processors so they can buy nuts directly from farmers, while also partnering with county governments to promote value addition and strengthen the sector’s competitiveness,” said Athola.

The government’s position is clear. It prefers domestic processing. It wants value addition to happen in Kenya, not overseas. But the current processing capacity is insufficient. Farmers are suffering as a result.

The Ban Was Meant to Promote Local Processing

The discussions come months after the government imposed a ban on in-shell macadamia exports. The ban was part of efforts to increase domestic processing and value addition. The logic was sound. Process Kenyan nuts in Kenya. Create jobs in Kenya. Keep the value in Kenya.

But the implementation has been flawed. Processors were not ready to absorb the increased volume. Farmers were left holding their nuts. The market became distorted. Now the government must decide whether to stick with the ban or suspend it temporarily.

The macadamia export ban review in Kenya is a test of the government’s commitment to both value addition and farmer welfare. If the ban stays, farmers will continue to suffer. If the ban is lifted, processors may struggle to compete with foreign buyers who can pay higher prices for raw nuts.

A Delicate Balance

Finding the right balance is not easy. The government wants to build a local processing industry. That takes time. Processors need to invest in machinery, training, and marketing. They cannot scale up overnight.

In the meantime, farmers need to sell their nuts. They cannot wait years for processing capacity to catch up. A temporary suspension of the ban could provide relief. It would allow farmers to clear their stockpiles. It would give processors more time to expand.

The macadamia export ban review in Kenya is now in the hands of the Cabinet Secretary. Farmers are watching. Processors are watching. Exporters are watching. The decision will have consequences for the entire macadamia value chain.

Gathua and other farmer leaders have made their case. They need action. They need relief. They need the government to listen. The nuts are piling up. The mould is forming. The farmers are waiting. The macadamia export ban review in Kenya cannot come soon enough.

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