Nairobi: The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has granted permission for the export of raw (in-shell) macadamia nuts for a limited period of 30 days, commencing today. This move aims to allow exporters to fulfill outstanding orders that have not yet been serviced.
According to Kenya News Agency, Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Dr. Andrew Karanja stated that the ministry had lifted a previous ban on the export of raw (in-shell) macadamia nuts on November 3, 2023, for a duration of 12 months, which concluded on November 2, 2024. Following this, from November 3 to November 9, 2024, the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) – Nuts and Oil Crops Directorate conducted a physical verification exercise to assess the macadamia stocks held by various licensed processors, exporters, and marketing agents.
The exercise revealed that some exporters had retained stocks of raw (in-shell) macadamia nuts and had pending export orders. Dr. Karanja, exercising his authority under Section
43 of the Agriculture and Food Authority Act, 2013, announced, “In view of the aforementioned, and in exercising the powers conferred to me by Section 43 of Agriculture and Food Authority Act, 2013, I hereby authorize the export of raw (in-shell) macadamia nuts for a period of 30 days from December 4, 2024.”
Licensed exporters intending to export raw (in-shell) macadamia nuts are required to submit a written application to the Agriculture and Food Authority – Nuts and Oil Crops Directorate, along with a copy of a duly filled and signed stock verification form. Dr. Karanja emphasized that this measure is designed to facilitate the clearance of verified stocks being held by various exporters for export.