Macadamia Exports Hit Record Ksh18 Billion as Global Demand Surges

Kenya’s macadamia nut exports reached a record Ksh18 billion in 2023, driven by strong demand from China, the U.S., and the EU for healthy snacks and cosmetic oils. The Nut Growers Association reported a 40% price increase, with farmers in Embu, Meru, and Kirinyaga earning up to Ksh800 per kilo. Over 300,000 smallholders are now engaged in macadamia farming, up from 120,000 in 2020. The government has banned raw nut exports to encourage local processing, with 12 new hulling and drying plants opening in 2024. Challenges include theft during harvest and climate variability affecting yields.