The Macadamia Association of Kenya (MACNUT) has dismissed reports claiming that farmers have earned low prices this year, saying the 2025 season has been one of the most profitable in recent years.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the association said farm-gate prices for macadamia nuts had reached their highest levels in more than three years, signalling a strong recovery for the sector and renewed optimism among smallholder farmers across Kenya.
MACNUT attributed the turnaround to decisive action by the Government of Kenya, particularly the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, which introduced and enforced a floor price for macadamia nuts.
This move, the association said, helped protect farmers from exploitation by brokers and ensured they benefited from growing international demand.
“Farmers who adhered to the government’s price guidelines did not sell below KSh 100 per kilogram, and most earned between Sh130 and Sh150 during the peak season,” the association noted.
This marks a sharp contrast to previous years when brokers offered as little as Sh20 per kilogram.
The association also credited the government’s ban on the export of raw in-shell nuts for stabilizing the local market.
The policy allowed local processors to purchase and process nearly all available nuts, thereby safeguarding jobs, promoting value addition, and enhancing Kenya’s competitiveness in the global market.
MACNUT revealed that branded Kenyan macadamia products are set to debut in major global retail chains, including Walmart.
The Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has also pledged to accelerate these expansion plans to position Kenya as a leading supplier of premium, fully processed macadamia products worldwide.
Despite challenges such as pest infestations affecting nut quality during the second season, MACNUT has urged government agencies, county departments, and private sector partners to support farmers through biological and non-chemical pest control measures.
Chairperson Jane Maigua reaffirmed MACNUT’s commitment to a fair, transparent, and profitable value chain that empowers farmers, strengthens rural economies, and cements Kenya’s standing in the global macadamia industry.
Kenya is now the fourth-largest macadamia producer in the world, with its main export markets being the United States, Europe, and China.
Kenyan macadamias are prized for their rich, creamy taste and are grown organically without chemical fertilizers or synthetic pesticides — a distinction that enhances their appeal in health-conscious markets.
The macadamia sector contributes more than Sh15 billion annually in foreign exchange earnings and supports thousands of jobs in processing, logistics, and related industries.
Additionally, macadamia shells are increasingly being converted into biochar and bio-fertilizers, improving soil health and supporting sustainable agriculture.
