Kenya’s Macadamia Exports to EU Hit Record Ksh22 Billion in 2023

Kenya’s macadamia nut exports reached a record Ksh22 billion in 2023, driven by strong demand from Germany, the Netherlands, and France for healthy snacks and cosmetic oils. The Nut Growers Association reports a 45% price increase, with farmers in Embu, Meru, and Kirinyaga earning up to Ksh850 per kilo. Over 350,000 smallholders are now engaged in macadamia farming. The government’s ban on raw nut exports has spurred local processing, with 15 new hulling and drying plants opening in 2023. Challenges include theft during harvest and climate variability. With AfCFTA, Kenya aims to dominate Africa’s premium nut market by 2027.