The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has stepped up a nationwide crackdown on unlicensed dealers and processors of macadamia nuts across key growing counties, in a move aimed at restoring order and protecting farmers.
According to the authority, the ongoing operation seeks to enforce compliance with the Crops (Nuts and Oil Crops) Regulations of 2020.
The exercise includes arrests where necessary, as well as inspections targeting illegal trading activities within the macadamia value chain.
AFA officers, working jointly with police officers from counties have conducted raids on several macadamia buying centers to identify and apprehend non-compliant traders.
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The operation also involves assessing the widespread practice of roadside shelling, which authorities say compromises the quality of the nuts and undermines market standards.
The regulator further noted that the crackdown is intended to shield farmers from exploitation by unscrupulous dealers and curb rising cases of premature harvesting, often driven by theft and illegal market demand.
Kenya remains a major player in the global macadamia industry, ranking among the top four producers worldwide alongside South Africa, China, and Australia. In 2024, the country earned approximately Sh5 billion from macadamia exports, with revenues showing steady growth amid increasing global demand.
By Obegi Malack
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