Macadamia farmers and traders have decried huge losses occasioned by extended ban on exportation of in-shell nuts. The farmers argued after the government reinstated the ban on exportation of un-processed macadamia on January 2nd this year, they have incurred huge losses since their nuts are rotting in their farms and stores. During a meeting held between the farmers and the traders in Murang'a Saturday, they argued that the government has not addressed their plight despite writing several letters to the agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) seeking for extension of exportation on in-shell nuts for one year. Ban on exportation of unprocessed nuts was lifted on November 2, 2023 by former CS Mithika Linturi and expired on November 2nd last year after which former CS Andrew Karanja then extended the period to January 2nd this year.
Nuts Traders Association of Kenya (NUTRAK) chairman Johnson Kihara said delay by the government to address the farmers' grievance has caused huge losses since many farmers have stocks of macadamia at their homes. Kihara noted traders have also big stock saying they have not been given exportation certificate by Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) "I have three containers of nuts in my stores yet the government has refused to issue export certificates.
If I can't sell them, then I also can't buy macadamia from farmers.
It's the farmers who lose," he noted. The chairman further revealed that Lenana Processors, a member of NUTRAK, has 15 containers of stock while Edenswin Traders Ltd has five unsold containers while Topnut Mac and Commodities has 12. "With one container estimated to be worth Sh. 20 million, the traders are facing huge losses as operations in their companies are almost grinding to a halt," he remarked.
