Kenya lifts ban on export of raw macadamia for a period of 30days

 

Employees at Fairnut Processing Nut factory in Thika. working on in-shell macadamia nuts in transit to China.[File, Standard]

Kenya on Wednesday allowed the sale and export of raw macadamia nuts for a period of 30 days, lifting a ban that was imposed early last month.

Andrew Karanja, cabinet secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, said that officials from the Agriculture and Food Authority, which regulates the crop sector, have found that there are macadamia stocks held by various licensed processors and exporters that require urgent sale.

On November 3,2023 the Ministry lifted the ban on export of raw (in-shell) macadamia nuts for a period of 12 months which ended on 2nd November 2024.

Dr. Karanja said that between 3rd November 2024 and 9th November 2024, Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) – Nuts and Oil Crops Directorate undertook physical verification exercise to establish macadamia stocks held by various licensed processors, exporters and marketing agents.

He highlighted that from the exercise, it was established that some exporters had stocks of raw (in-shell) macadamia nuts in shell and export orders that were yet to be serviced.

"In view of the aforementioned, and in exercising the powers conferred to me by Section 43 of Agriculture and Food Authority Act, 2013, I hereby authorize the export of raw (in-shell) macadamia nuts for a period of 30 days from December 4, 2024,” said the Dr. Karanja.

Dr. Karanja added  that licensed exporters who would wish to export raw (in-shell) macadamia nuts are required to apply in writing to Agriculture and Food Authority – Nuts and Oil Crops Directorate and attach a copy of duly filled and signed stock verification form.

 "The intervention will enable verified stocks being held by various exporters to be cleared for export," Karanja said in a statement released in Nairobi, Kenya's capital.

He said that the directive will allow the export of raw (in-shell) macadamia nuts for 30 days from Wednesday 4th December 2024.

According to the World Macadamia Organization, Kenya is the third largest nut-in-shell and kernel macadamia exporter, after South Africa and Australia.