The Agriculture and Food Authority has imposed an immediate ban on the export and transit of raw macadamia nuts through Kenya in a move aimed at shielding the local nut processing sector from external interference and preserving value addition within the country.

In a statement, the authority said the directive applies to all unprocessed macadamia, whether wet or dry and still in-shell, regardless of whether they are locally grown or imported from other countries for export through Kenyan ports.

The decision is anchored in the Crops Act, 2013, and the Crops (Nuts and Oil Crops) Regulations, 2020.

This follows a string of recent interceptions of raw macadamia consignments at various border points, with suspicions that the nuts were being smuggled through Kenya under the guise of transit trade.

“No raw macadamia nuts may be exported through or from Kenya, regardless of country of origin. Exporters from foreign states intending to trade in raw macadamia are therefore advised to use alternative foreign ports of exit and to refrain from routing raw macadamia produce through Kenya,” said Bruno Linyiru, the Director General of AFA.

The authority maintained that the move is meant to protect local farmers and processors, while boosting domestic industrial growth through value addition and local manufacturing.

Kenya has been striving to encourage processing of raw agricultural produce domestically as a way of improving returns to growers and creating jobs.

The country is among the top three macadamia producers in the world, with about 13 percent of the global market share, according to Blue Ocean.

The crop is mainly grown in Central, Eastern, and Coastal regions, with Embu, Meru, and Tharaka Nithi counties leading in production.

AFA noted that Kenyan macadamia enjoys a strong reputation globally due to its superior quality, which has earned it significant demand in international markets.

However, the sector still grapples with issues such as price volatility and the need to strengthen quality control and marketing strategies.

The authority urged stakeholders with questions or in need of clarification to reach out through info@afa.go.ke.

Most of the macadamia production in Kenya is driven by small-scale farmers, making it a vital source of income in rural areas.

The global macadamia market is projected to continue expanding, with prospects for improved prices and rising demand expected in the near future.