Macadamia nut processors target local market to boost sales
Macadamia nuts processors in Kenya have called for deployment of innovative strategies that will help double local consumption from the current 3000 metric tonnes to at least 6000 metric tonnes.
Available data indicate that Kenyans only consume an estimated 5pc out of 63,000 metric tonnes of macadamia nuts produced in the country produces with the rest being exported to other markets.
“Kenyan Macadamia competes at the same league as South African and Australian produce, and all the value chain stakeholders need to work together to at least double the local consumption of our quality Macadamia,” said Mathias Muinde, Kakuzi General Manager, Macadamia Operations.
The industry is now backing a collaborative approach among stakeholders to boost local consumption through a value-added marketing model.
Kenya is the third-largest macadamia nuts exporter globally, after South Africa and Australia.
The Kenyan macadamia sector brings in approximately USD 80 million (over KES 10 billion) in foreign exchange earnings, with the potential for further growth if the processing and export of value-added products are encouraged.
Kenya’s macadamia production, primarily by smallholder farmers, has increased significantly, with the potential to reach 60,000 tonnes of nut-in-shell by 2022. The export value of macadamia kernel can reach USD 9.44 per kilo, positioning it as a lucrative cash crop. In 2023, Kenya’s kernel exports earned Sh5.8 billion.
“The potential doubling of local macadamia consumption to around 6,000 metric tonnes calls for innovative value addition through the production and packaging of quality snacks, cold pressed cooking oils, gluten-free flour, organic manure and biomass fuels from the shells,” he stated.
Other strategies being considered include empowering smallholder farmers by equipping them with agronomic practices.
This emerged during the National Macadamia Conference organized by the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) in Embu County.
