CEO's Foreword

Floice Mukabana

AG. CEO Kenya Export Promotion And Branding Agency

The global nuts market is currently experiencing exponential growth. The global turnover for nuts was 54 billion US dollars in 2021 and is expected to grow steadily in the coming years. Peanuts accounted for the largest market share globally with almonds and cashewnuts experiencing growth in popularity.

Kenya produces cashewnuts, coconuts, macadamia nuts, peanuts and Bambara, among others. The nuts and oil crops subsector contribute 0.4% to the national GDP and 15% to the agricultural GDP. The country supplies around 20% of global macadamia demand. Key export destinations for Kenyan nuts include the United States, the EU, China, Canada and Japan. About 95% of locally produced macadamia nuts are exported, making it one of the country’s most lucrative cash crops.

The Government of Kenya has put in place various measures to increase the production and export of nuts. The ban on exportation of unprocessed macadamia nuts imposed in 2009 was lifted. In addition, the acreage under nuts has increased, replacing traditional subsistence crops like maize in the country’s breadbasket areas.

KEPROBA's Mandate