Kenya macadamia value rises 73% to US$66M following raw nut export ban

Kenya’s macadamia sector has seen a 73% increase in crop value, reaching approximately US$66.7 million in 2025. This growth follows a government ban on the export of unprocessed, raw nuts, a policy designed to shift market activity toward domestic processing and reduce the influence of informal brokers.

Production rose to 53,968 tonnes, up from 49,183 tonnes the previous year. The shift to processed kernels has also boosted farm-gate prices, with farmers receiving up to KES 150 per kilogram during the high season.

To expand international reach, Kenyan exporters are leveraging a zero-tariff agreement with China under the Early Harvest Agreement, which allows duty-free access for processed macadamia kernels. Local facilities are currently upgrading to meet specific certification and food safety requirements for the Chinese market.