Kenya has temporarily lifted its ban on the export of raw macadamia nuts, a measure implemented last month, granting a 30-day window for the clearance of existing stockpiles. The decision, announced on Wednesday by Andrew Karanja, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, seeks to address logistical bottlenecks faced by processors and exporters.

In a statement from Nairobi, Karanja clarified that officials from the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) had identified substantial volumes of macadamia held by licensed processors and exporters. “This intervention will enable verified stocks being held by various exporters to be cleared for export,” he stated, highlighting the urgency of the move.

The directive allows the export of raw (in-shell) macadamia nuts for a limited period starting immediately. This temporary reprieve is expected to ease operational constraints within the sector while maintaining regulatory oversight.

Kenya ranks as the third-largest exporter of macadamia nuts globally, trailing only South Africa and Australia, according to the World Macadamia Organization. The country has cultivated a reputation for producing high-quality macadamia, with exports contributing significantly to its agricultural revenue. However, the ban imposed earlier aimed to encourage local value addition by promoting domestic processing, a policy that has often faced resistance from exporters prioritising foreign markets.

The timing of this temporary policy shift aligns with rising international demand for raw macadamia nuts, especially during the festive season when global markets experience heightened activity.

Kenya’s push to bolster local macadamia processing has been central to its agricultural policy in recent years. By banning the export of raw nuts, authorities hoped to create more jobs and retain greater economic value domestically. However, this strategy has often led to unintended consequences, including stockpiles among exporters unable to find sufficient local processing capacity.

The current reprieve underscores the challenges of balancing export-oriented revenue generation with long-term industrial development goals. The global macadamia market remains highly competitive, with South Africa and Australia dominating supply chains through well-established processing infrastructure and export networks. For Kenya, leveraging its competitive edge while developing domestic industries will require sustained investment and policy coherence.