Government Imposes Four-Month Ban on Macadamia Harvesting to Curb Export of Immature Nuts

NAIROBI, Kenya – The Ministry of Agriculture has announced a four-month ban on macadamia harvesting, set to begin on November 2, 2024, in a bid to tackle the widespread export of immature nuts and stabilize the struggling industry.

Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Andrew Karanja stated that the decision followed consultations with stakeholders across the macadamia sector.

The ban will remain in place until March 1, 2025, during which time the ministry aims to ensure that only mature macadamia nuts make it to both local and international markets.

“From November 2, 2024, to March 1, 2025, macadamia harvesting will be prohibited to curb the export of immature nuts,” Karanja said. “Dealers are required to submit their existing stock for inspection, verification, and clearance by November 15.”

This intervention comes as Kenya’s macadamia industry faces declining prices and challenges with quality control. While approximately 95 percent of Kenya’s macadamia production is destined for international markets, recent years have seen farm gate prices plummet.

At their peak in 2019, macadamia nuts in shells fetched an all-time high of KSh180 per kilogram, but by early 2023, those prices had sunk to between KSh30 and KSh40 per kilogram.

To address the crisis, the Ministry had lifted a ban on raw macadamia exports in November 2023, granting a one-year window for raw exports under the Agriculture and Food Authority Act.

This move was intended to ease pressure on farmers grappling with excess stock due to unfavorable global market conditions.

“Opening up the raw export market was a remedial measure to stabilize prices and allow farmers to offload excess stock,” Karanja said.

However, he acknowledged that local companies have struggled to maintain sufficient quality for macadamia processing, and exporting immature nuts has harmed Kenya’s reputation in global markets.

“Exporting processed macadamia kernels is far more beneficial to Kenya than raw in-shell exports,” the CS added.

In addition to the harvesting ban, Karanja announced the implementation of a minimum guaranteed farm gate price of KSh100 per kilogram to support farmers.

The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) will oversee the enforcement of these new regulations, including revoking licenses for any dealers found violating the rules.

Enhanced inspections and surveillance will be carried out to eliminate rogue traders undermining the sector’s recovery.

“The national and county governments will work together to enforce the Crops Act of 2013 and the Crops (Nuts and Oil Crops) Regulations, 2020,” Karanja said, stressing that restoring the industry’s health requires a united effort.