Kenya’s macadamia farmers and traders can resume business after the Agriculture and Food Authority announced the reopening of the seasonal harvesting and trading window, effective February 1, 2026.
The move follows a temporary shutdown that was put in place to protect nut quality, oil levels, shelf life, and Kenya’s standing in high-value global markets.
The closure, which began on December 1, 2025 and runs until February 15, 2026, was introduced to allow close monitoring of crop maturity and to stop the sale of immature nuts. During this period, the authority focused on safeguarding quality standards while enforcing rules in key production areas.
As part of this process, AFA carried out a targeted macadamia maturity surveillance exercise between January 19 and January 23, 2026. The exercise covered major macadamia-growing counties and aimed to determine whether the crop had reached the right maturity stage for harvesting.
The findings showed that maturity levels differed across regions. Most macadamia nuts grown in lower-altitude, coffee-growing zones had reached full maturity. However, nuts in higher-altitude, tea-growing areas were largely still immature and required more time to develop.
The assessment also confirmed that maturity timelines vary depending on the variety planted. Some macadamia cultivars mature earlier than others, meaning farmers must assess their crops carefully before harvesting.
Based on these findings and after receiving requests from industry stakeholders, the authority confirmed the reopening of harvesting and trading. However, AFA cautioned farmers against harvesting immature nuts, stressing that only mature produce should be picked to maintain quality standards.
“The Authority strongly urges all stakeholders, particularly farmers, to harvest only mature nuts and allow immature ones to develop,” AFA stated.
Throughout the closure period, the authority continued tracking maturity trends and enforcing compliance measures. This included addressing reported cases of early harvesting in some areas, as part of efforts to protect the quality of Kenya’s macadamia exports.
AFA noted that strict enforcement during the closure was necessary to maintain buyer confidence and protect the country’s reputation in premium international markets. The authority emphasized that quality control remains a top priority as harvesting resumes.
The authority also thanked farmers, traders, and other players in the sector for their cooperation during the closure and reaffirmed its long-term commitment to the industry.
“The Authority appreciates the cooperation demonstrated by stakeholders and reiterates its commitment to ensuring sustainable production, quality assurance, and continued market access for Kenyan macadamia nuts,” said Dr. Bruno Linyiru, Director General of AFA.
Farmers and members of the public who require further clarification have been advised to contact the authority through [email protected].
The reopening of the seasonal harvesting and trading window is expected to support the macadamia value chain while ensuring that only quality nuts reach the market. The move is aimed at balancing farmer incomes, product standards, and sustainable production across all macadamia-growing regions in the country.
