The Macadamia Association of Kenya (MACNUT) has dismissed reports suggesting that macadamia farmers are receiving low prices for their produce this year, terming the claims as “inaccurate and misleading.”
In a statement issued on Wednesday, MACNUT said the 2025 harvest season has seen one of the best price performances in recent years, signaling a strong rebound for Kenya’s macadamia industry after a difficult three-year slump caused by market disruptions and illegal exports.
“Farmers who followed the government’s price guidelines did not sell below Ksh. 100 per kilogram, and most earned between Ksh. 130 and Ksh. 150 during the peak season,” the association said.
“This marks a remarkable turnaround from as low as Ksh. 20 per kilogram offered by brokers before the sector reforms took effect.”
The clarification comes amid renewed debate over the government’s continued ban on the export of unprocessed macadamia nuts, which some growers claim has limited their market access and profitability.
The export ban, first imposed in November 2024, was aimed at curbing the premature harvesting of immature nuts and protecting Kenya’s growing local processing industry.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe extended the ban in February 2025, arguing it would promote value addition and create more jobs in the domestic processing sector.
However, sections of farmers — particularly smallholders in Murang’a, Embu, and Meru counties — have complained that the ban has left them vulnerable to middlemen and reduced bargaining power.
MACNUT, however, insists the policy has achieved its intended purpose.
“The reforms have restored stability and transparency in the value chain,” said MACNUT Chairperson David Mwangi. “Farmers are now benefiting from structured pricing and fairer trade practices through local processors.”
Kenya is currently the fourth-largest producer of macadamia nuts globally, behind Australia, South Africa, and China, and exports mainly to the United States, Europe, and China.
According to MACNUT, the sector contributes over Ksh. 15 billion annually in foreign exchange earnings and supports more than 200,000 smallholder farmers.
Despite the improved earnings, the association warned that the second planting season faces new threats from increased pest infestations, particularly the macadamia felted coccid, which affects nut quality and yields.
The association is urging collaboration between county governments, agricultural researchers, and private sector players to develop biological and non-chemical pest control solutions.
“Sustainable pest management is critical for maintaining Kenya’s competitive edge,” said Mwangi. “We need a coordinated national response that prioritizes environmental safety and farmer training.”
Agricultural economists say Kenya’s macadamia sector has great potential but requires consistent policy, innovation, and market diversification to remain competitive.
“The rebound in prices is encouraging, but long-term sustainability will depend on improving processing capacity, market linkages, and climate resilience,” noted Dr. Jane Nyaguthii, an agribusiness expert at the University of Nairobi.
Dr. Nyaguthii added that Kenya must continue investing in value addition to capture higher global market prices, where processed macadamia kernels fetch three to five times more than raw nuts.
Many farmers are cautiously optimistic that the recent policy measures will continue to improve earnings, though they still call for more transparency in price setting and better access to farm inputs.
“Prices have definitely improved this year,” said John Mwangi, a farmer from Embu. “But we want to see more consistency — especially in how processors set the buying rates. The government should help us access affordable fertilizers and pest control solutions.”
MACNUT reaffirmed its commitment to a fair, transparent, and sustainable value chain, promising to work closely with government agencies and development partners to strengthen the sector’s competitiveness.
