The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has officially reopened the seasonal harvesting and trading window for domestically produced macadamia nuts, ending a two-and-a-half-month closure imposed to safeguard quality and protect Kenya’s standing in premium international markets.
In a statement issued in Nairobi on January 29, 2026, the Authority said the reopening takes effect from February 1, 2026, following the conclusion of a nationwide maturity surveillance exercise that confirmed uneven ripening patterns across macadamia-growing regions.
Kenya Reopens Macadamia Export
The seasonal closure, which began on December 1, 2025, and was scheduled to end on February 15, 2026, was introduced to prevent the harvesting and marketing of immature nuts.
According to the Authority, premature harvesting compromises oil content and shelf life, leading to quality defects that have previously undermined Kenya’s reputation in high-value export markets.
During the closure period, the Authority intensified monitoring of crop maturity and enforcement of compliance measures after receiving reports of violations in some production areas. Between January 19 and January 23, 2026,
AFA conducted a targeted macadamia maturity surveillance exercise across major producing counties to establish prevailing maturity levels ahead of the new harvesting season.
The surveillance revealed significant variation in nut maturity across different agro-ecological zones.
In lower-altitude coffee-growing areas, most nuts had reached maturity, with a noticeable proportion already falling naturally to the ground, indicating that harvesting could commence without compromising quality.
Also Read: U.S Embassy in Uganda Issues Fresh Guidelines on Visa Rules
However, the situation was markedly different in higher-altitude tea-growing zones, where the majority of nuts remained immature.
AFA Warns Farmers
Based on these findings and following consultations and requests from stakeholders across the value chain, the Authority announced the official reopening of harvesting and trading from February 1.
The AFA issued a firm warning to farmers, traders, and processors, stressing that only mature nuts should be harvested, handled, or traded.
“Mature nuts only” remains the guiding directive, the Authority said, warning that immature produce will continue to attract enforcement action under existing regulations.
The Authority stressed that allowing immature nuts to enter the market poses long-term risks to the industry, including loss of buyer confidence and depressed prices for Kenyan produce.
AFA further reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable production and quality assurance, stating that cooperation demonstrated by stakeholders during the closure period was critical in maintaining market access.
The Authority said continued collaboration would be necessary to ensure that Kenya retains its competitive edge in the global macadamia trade, where buyers increasingly demand consistency and traceability.
Also Read: Exposed: How Sakaja Paid Ksh47.6 Million to Ghost Workers
At the same time, the Authority urged growers in late-maturing zones to exercise restraint and adhere strictly to maturity assessments to avoid sanctions and market rejection.
Macadamia in Kenya
Kenya is one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of macadamia nuts, a high‑value crop that has steadily grown into a major foreign‑exchange earner over the past decade.
The industry is heavily export‑oriented, with about 90 to 95 per cent of all macadamias produced in the country destined for overseas markets.
Kenya’s macadamia exports are dominated by Asian and Western markets.
China is the single largest buyer, followed by the United States, Japan, Vietnam, Germany, and the Netherlands.
According to the 2024 Africa Agriculture Status Report by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Kenya ranks third globally in macadamia exports after South Africa and Australia.
National production rose from about 11,000 tonnes in 2009 to more than 41,500 tonnes of nuts‑in‑shell by 2022, driven largely by smallholder farmers shifting from traditional crops such as coffee to macadamia due to better returns.
Macadamia has become attractive because of its long productive lifespan and premium pricing in global markets.
Well‑managed trees can remain productive for more than 40 years.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
