THE EXPORT AGENDA 7TH ISSUE | 2023
In The World Of Nuts, Macadamia Is Just As Valuable As Gold By Gertrude Mirobi
Kenya is the third largest exporter of macadamia nuts after Australia and South Africa. It is grown by an estimated 200,000 smallholder macadamia farmers across the country while the rest is cultivated under plantation farms. Macadamia nuts are grown in Embu, Meru, Machakos, Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Taita Taveta, Tharaka Nithi, Baringo, Murang’a and Nyeri, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet and Nandi Counties accounting for 20% of the global supply. Macadamia nuts are cultivated in the mineral-rich highlands of Kenya. Although macadamias may grow in a variety of soils, they thrive in those that are well-drained, preferably 1-2 meters deep, and have high levels of organic matter. The Muranga 20 variety of macadamia trees are quite adaptable to different climatic conditions and can be grown in most parts of the country. The Macadamia integrifolia and the Macadamia tetraphylla species are the two most often grown variants in Kenya. The Macadamia integrifolia has smooth nut surfaces and is adaptable to a variety of agro-climatic situations, but the
Macadamia tetraphylla has rough-shelled bush nuts and is more adapted to cooler climates. In Kenya, the two species are grafted together to create a better variety that highly marketable and in demand. According to global macadamia market reports, the macadamia market is projected to grow strongly, which is good news for Kenyan farmers who want to tap into to this lucrative market. Some of the world’s leading players in the macadamia market include Kenya Nut Company Limited, Privamnuts EPZ Kenya Ltd, Nambucca Macnuts Pty Ltd, Royal Macadamia (Pty) Ltd, MWT Foods Australia, Wondaree Macadamias, MacFarms, Golden Macadamias, Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company, and Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp. According to Green & Gold Macadamias, one of the largest marketers of processed macadamias in the world, global growth and demand for macadamias has been on an upward trajectory and has seen a rise of exports around the world ensuring stable supply all year-round. I N S P I R I N G G LO BA L T R A D E
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