NAIROBI, Kenya — The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has announced a temporary suspension on the harvesting and trade of locally produced macadamia nuts from December 1, 2025, to February 15, 2026, to ensure the crop reaches full maturity and maintains Kenya’s global reputation for premium quality.
The seasonal restriction, AFA said, follows findings from a phenological survey showing that a significant portion of macadamia across major growing zones is still developing.
“This closure is necessary to guarantee that only fully developed nuts enter the market, preserving the premium quality for which Kenyan macadamia is known,” the authority stated on Monday.
Through its Nuts and Oils Directorate, AFA has been monitoring crop maturity, kernel quality, and oil content to ensure the highest standards in local and export markets.
The move, the agency said, aligns with ongoing efforts to strengthen Kenya’s competitiveness in the global macadamia value chain.
The directive applies to all stakeholders — processors, exporters, importers, and marketing agents — who have been instructed to comply with the temporary closure.
AFA Director-General Dr. Bruno Linyiru reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to supporting the nut industry through regulation and quality assurance.
“We will continue to monitor maturity trends and communicate any changes to the closure period in good time,” Dr. Linyiru said.
The authority also maintained that the ban on the export of raw, in-shell macadamia nuts remains in force — a measure meant to protect local processors and boost value addition within Kenya.
Stakeholders seeking clarification on the suspension can contact the AFA via info@afa.go.ke.
