Farmers from the Mt Kenya region are protesting low macadamia prices, blaming the government’s ban on the export of unprocessed nuts.
Speaking in Murang’a on Tuesday, the farmers, through the Macadamia Growers of Kenya Association, said prices have fallen to between Ksh40 and Ksh70 per kilogramme, down from last year’s Ksh100–140.
Association official Muriithi Gichabi urged the Ministry of Agriculture to allow farmers to export at least 30 percent of their produce to China, a major market for raw nuts. He said local processors cannot absorb all the harvest, leaving farmers with huge losses.
“Processors are already holding millions of shillings in unpaid dues. If nothing is done, next season will be worse,” Gichabi warned.
Gichabi, accused the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) of failing to enforce regulations across all factories.
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Nut Traders Association of Kenya Chairman Johnson Kihara also criticized the government for maintaining the ban without consultation, saying traders have lost tonnes of produce this year.
Kirinyaga Senator Kamau Murango added that Kenya should adopt a balanced export policy similar to countries like Zimbabwe and Australia.
In response, AFA Director General Dr. Bruno Linyiru defended the ban, saying it curbs theft and premature harvesting while promoting local processing and job creation. He noted that the ban helps maintain Kenya’s reputation in global markets and that macadamia shells are now being used for charcoal and organic fertilizer production.
Kenya produces about 61,000 metric tonnes of macadamia annually, earning over Ksh4.5 billion.
By Obegi Malack
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