THE EXPORT AGENDA 7TH ISSUE | 2023
Nut Traders Association Call for Recognition of Macadamia Nuts as a Cash Crop
This will help to diversify Kenya’s cash crop portfolio By James Kariuki Kenyan-grown macadamia nuts are globally recognised for their versatility that enriches many recipes for foodstuffs, human drugs, cosmetic products and can be processed into cooking oil. Roasted, salted and raw macadamia nuts have also become a must-have snack at cocktails and have been incorporated into giveaways snacks for travellers. While macadamia nuts have risen to become a success within many regions in Kenya today, the Nut Traders Association (NUTRAK) avers that the government is yet to grant them commercial crop status, and to allocate the nut a fully-fledged expert team to oversee its development. “A public authority will not only champion further research and development of better macadamia nuts varieties but will open doors for multi-billion investments in factories that need macadamia nuts as raw materials,” he says.
on in-shelled nut weight.
A public authority will not only champion further research and development of better macadamia nuts varieties but will open doors for multi-billion investments in factories that need macadamia nuts as raw materials,
Mr Kihara says that Kenya is globally celebrated as the third largest producer-exporter of macadamia nuts but sadly, farmers lose most of their earnings to nut processors who export the same after grading only to pay farmers based
The raw macadamia nuts are sold to foreign factories that make soaps, sunscreens, shampoos, animal feed, chocolate, milk, cooking oils and for confectionery-baking, ice cream as well as for skin related drugs.
In an interview, Mr Kihara said that an authority will help to streamline the sector and formalise macadamia nuts trading. This will further improve access to region-tested seedlings that perform well within their areas and control the I N S P I R I N G G LO BA L T R A D E
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