AFA IMPOSES BAN ON RAW MACADAMIA TRANSIT AND EXPORT VIA KENYA

The Agriculture and Food Authority(AFA) has imposed an immediate ban on the export and transit of raw macadamia nuts through Kenya, citing legal frameworks designed to safeguard the local nut processing industry. The directive prohibits the movement of both in shell and unprocessed macadamia nuts, whether wet or dry under the Crops Act, 2013, and the Crops (Nuts and Oil Crops) Regulations, 2020. This decision comes after multiple interceptions of raw macadamia shipments at various border points, with authorities suspecting the nuts were being routed through Kenya from other countries.

The ban aims to bolster the local industry by encouraging domestic processing and enhancing value addition, thereby benefiting Kenyan farmers and processors. Macadamia farming is a vital sector in Kenya, with the country ranking third globally in production. It is a lucrative export crop grown primarily in Central, Eastern, and Coastal regions, with Embu, Meru, and Tharaka Nithi counties leading in output. Kenyan macadamias are prized for their exceptional quality, which continues to drive international demand. However, the industry faces challenges such as price volatility and the need for improved quality assurance.