Macadamia Farmers Warned Against Predatory Brokers in Kenya

KANDARA, Kenya — Macadamia nut farmers in Kenya are being urged to remain vigilant against exploitative brokers, despite a government directive establishing minimum prices for their crops. According to Kenya News Agency, certain purchasers have been acquiring macadamia nuts for less than the government-mandated Sh100 per kilogram.

The concern arises in the context of a recent move by the Ministry of Agriculture, which, in November of the previous year, lifted a section of the Crops Act of 2013 to permit the sale of raw macadamia nuts. This policy shift aimed to bolster the earnings of macadamia growers by establishing a floor price and was triggered by a drastic drop in nut prices to about Sh20 per kilogram.

Association chairman Johnson Kihara emphasized the price recovery following the policy adjustment, insisting that no transactions should fall below the stipulated rate. He highlighted the detrimental effects of non-compliance among brokers, particularly those serving the nut processing sector, and urged farmers across various counties to resist selling at diminished prices.

The debate extends beyond immediate price concerns, touching on broader legislative frameworks. Both Kihara and Murang’a County’s Executive Committee member for Trade, Industrialization, and Tourism, Paul Kimani Mugo, have advocated for the permanent repeal of the contentious section of the Crops Act, arguing that its removal could enhance the competitiveness of Kenyan macadamia in global markets.

In a collaborative move to shield producers from market exploitation, local leaders have proposed infrastructural support, such as the establishment of nut drying facilities. These initiatives, as explained by Julius Mwangi of the Kariua Cooperative Society, would not only increase nut value and potentially double farmers’ revenues but also offer broader socio-economic benefits, including job creation for the region’s youth.