Macadamia farmers decry losses as AFA withholds export certifications
KENYA – Macadamia farmers and exporters in Kenya are raising concerns over significant financial losses due to the Agriculture and Food Authority’s (AFA) failure to issue mandatory export certifications.
This comes despite a court order directing the regulator to facilitate the export of in-shell macadamia nuts.
The Nut Traders Association of Kenya, led by its chairman Johnson Kihara, has criticized the regulator for disregarding the court’s directive, leaving tens of containers of macadamia nuts stranded in warehouses.
Kihara warned that the prolonged impasse threatens to lower farm gate prices and expose farmers and traders to heavy losses.
High Court Judge Lawrence Mugambi had extended an order on February 18, 2025, permitting the export of in-shell macadamia nuts.
This directive followed a petition filed in November 2024 by Eric Mbaabu Mwirigi and Edenswin Traders Limited, challenging the Ministry of Agriculture’s ban on harvesting macadamia nuts from November 2, 2024, to March 1, 2025.
The ban was imposed to curb the export of immature nuts and stabilize the macadamia sector.
However, its implementation was suspended in December and later extended by the court. The court also barred the Agriculture Cabinet Secretary and Attorney General from interfering with the rights of macadamia farmers, traders, and exporters.
Mwirigi has vowed to return to court to initiate proceedings for the possible imprisonment of the Agriculture CS and AFA Director-General for contempt of court.
“The directive is clear to the regulator to allow the export of in-shells to the foreign market,” Mwirigi stated, emphasizing that failure to resolve the matter promptly would harm the industry.
Kenya’s macadamia exports have suffered a sharp decline in recent years. In the first half of 2024, kernel exports were valued at KES 3.3 billion (US$25.6 million), a significant drop compared to previous years.
The total revenue loss from raw nut exports has been estimated at over KES 6.5 billion (US$50 million).
Stakeholders are urging the Ministry of Agriculture and AFA to adhere to the court’s ruling and facilitate the free flow of macadamia exports until further directives are issued.
The case is set for mention on February 18, 2025.
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