State bans transit, export of raw macadamia nuts to protect local industry

THE Agriculture and Food Authority has prohibited the export and transit of raw macadamia nuts, citing the need to safeguard the local processing industry and promote value addition.

In a notice issued on Friday, AFA director general Bruno Linyiru warned exporters and the public that the export of raw macadamia nuts, whether in-shell or unprocessed, wet or dry, is illegal under Kenyan law.

“Recent weeks have seen several consignments of raw macadamia nuts, allegedly in transit through Kenya, intercepted at various border points,” Linyiru said.

“These interceptions are part of ongoing enforcement of the Crops Act, 2013 and the Crops (Nuts and Oil Crops) Regulations, 2020.”

He said no raw macadamia nuts may be exported through or from Kenya, regardless of their origin. “Exporters from foreign countries intending to trade in raw macadamia are therefore advised to use alternative foreign ports and avoid routing such consignments through Kenya,” he added.

The directive is part of government efforts to support local farmers and processors by encouraging domestic value addition and industrial development.

Linyiru urged anyone requiring clarification to contact the authority directly.

Earlier in February, the AFA raised concerns over rising malpractices in the macadamia industry that were threatening the integrity of the supply chain and damaging the sector’s reputation.

These included the harvesting and handling of immature nuts, unauthorised trade by unlicensed individuals especially marketing agents and smuggling of raw nuts out of the country.

Section 43 of the AFA Act prohibits the export of in-shell macadamia nuts without written approval from the Cabinet Secretary.

Section 29(1) and (2) of the Crops (Nuts and Oil Crops) Regulations, 2020, requires all exports of nuts and oil crops, including macadamia, to go through designated customs ports and to have electronically applied export permits via the KenTrade TFP Single Window System.

Regulation 23 stipulates that macadamia must only be harvested, handled and processed when physiologically mature. The Kenya Standard KS EAS 1169:2024 and KS 2958-1:2022 set out quality standards and best practices for macadamia nuts.

In addition, Section 16(1) of the Crops Act, 2013 requires all dealers in scheduled crops to register with the AFA. A “dealer” includes collectors, transporters, distributors, exporters, importers, marketing agents and others involved in the value chain, while Section 18(1) mandates that all manufacturers and processors of scheduled crop products be licensed by the authority.

“In light of these regulations, the authority will work with county governments, other government agencies, and law enforcement to intensify surveillance and enforcement in growing regions, aggregation centers, processing plants and exit points,” the statement read.

Linyiru warned that any individuals or companies found dealing in immature nuts, operating without a license, discharging substandard nuts back into the market, or smuggling produce will face stern legal action, including license revocation and criminal prosecution.